QBs move to the forefront
PULLMAN — Fresh off their first two-a-day of the fall, the Cougars say they’re ready to cap off the first week of practices with today’s 2:30 p.m. scrimmage.
Washington State coaches have been consistent in saying that their primary concerns in the early days of camp are filling in holes on both lines as well as the secondary. But in the first elongated 11-on-11 session, much of today’s attention will also be on quarterbacks Josh Swogger and Alex Brink.
Swogger, a sophomore, entered camp as the team’s declared No. 1. But quarterbacks coach Timm Rosenbach said Saturday he’s worked to make sure that distinction didn’t keep the two quarterbacks from competing every day in practice.
“You go in with the impression that when you start you have a No. 1 and nothing is for sure,” he said. “If you sit there and let a young guy know he’s going to be the No. 1 no matter how badly he practices, then you’re not going to be very good. Alex has done a nice job of competing and pushing Josh. I think it’s made both of them better at this point.”
Brink is a redshirt freshman and unlike Swogger has no game experience. But Brink has displayed — both in spring practice and once again this fall — a knack for making big plays, something he’ll get to a chance to do again this afternoon.
“I just need to go out and make quick decisions, be efficient with the football,” Brink said. “On offense, especially with the addition of a couple of guys and the work put in during the spring and summer, I think we’ve come a long ways.”
Because a vast majority of the Cougars will be starting for the first time, Rosenbach said he expects the team to give much of the playing time today to starters and their primary backups. And Swogger fully expects both quarterbacks to get at least some time with the starting unit to try and make a good impression.
Last season, the Cougars scored 30.3 points a game, but a stingy defense that allowed fewer than 20 per game received a lot of credit for the Cougars’ 10 wins. This year, Swogger said he aims to make the offense an even bigger reason for WSU success.
“We’re starting to get a different attitude on offense. You can see it out here,” he said. “The guys are hungrier, a lot more focused, ready to make a claim and turn the tide from last year, having to depend on the defense.”
No one expects all-world play from either quarterback today with just one week under their belts this fall. But ultimately, as is so often the case with quarterbacking, Rosenbach has a simple standard for his signal callers.
“I want to see who’s going to get us in the end zone,” he said. “I want to see who can take us down there and get points. And what I told them is you can’t use somebody else messing up as an excuse, because you better find a way to do it.”
No surprise at No. 1
Not many Cougars were surprised at the news that USC claimed the top spot in the preseason AP poll on Saturday, having earlier been given the same distinction in the coaches’ poll.
Washington State went on the road and lost to last year’s national co-champions 43-16 on Nov. 1. This year’s WSU players aren’t much surprised that the Trojans remain well regarded.
“Who can argue with that?” safety Hamza Abdullah asked.
Injury report
Ther Cougars suffered two significant injuries Saturday. Tackle Calvin Armstrong sprained his left ankle and is expected to miss 7-10 days. Armstrong had his left foot planted while blocking and was pushed backward, causing the injury. … Running back Allen Thompson suffered a concussion and lower back strain. Initial x-rays of his back were negative but he is still expected to miss 1-2 weeks.