Cougars show promise in scrimmage
PULLMAN — What took place on the Martin Stadium field Saturday morning probably bore little resemblance to what things will look like in the fall when the real games start.
But even with barely a dozen fans in attendance and some key players standing on the sidelines, Washington State did get its first look at what could be in 2005, playing a tightly controlled scrimmage in the latter part of the fourth practice session of the spring.
Every unit from the starters to the back end of the bench got plenty of opportunities, and perhaps for the first time it’s starting to become apparent who can help the Cougars improve from their five-win season of a year ago.
“Aaron Johnson is playing well,” head coach Bill Doba said. “So did Ropati (Pitoitua) on the defensive line.”
Aside from the two sophomore defensive tackles, expected to tie down the starting jobs this fall, the Cougars saw some impressive efforts from the big names on offense, even though starting quarterback Josh Swogger did not participate as he is held out of all contact drills this spring.
Still, running back Jerome Harrison showed he’s still able to turn the corner and was the first to cross the goal line, on a 20-yard scamper. Tight end Troy Bienemann made some nice catches and scored the first-string offense’s other touchdown, a 6-yard reception from Alex Brink.
And wide receiver Jason Hill, who set a school record for touchdown receptions last year as a sophomore, hauled in seven passes for 49 yards.
Hill was primarily a deep threat in 2004, especially in the early going, but he has been working to improve his shorter routes in an effort to become a more complete receiver.
“That’s a big focus,” Hill said. “I think in the league they see me as a deep threat. If I can uncover that underneath game, it’ll be better for me.”
Brink completed 19 of 28 throws, and Hill said he’s able to work just as well this spring even though the quarterback probably starting in the fall isn’t playing in the controlled scrimmages.
“The routes are still the same no matter who’s throwing the ball,” Hill said. “It could be Brett Favre back there throwing the ball. It’s all the same.”
Saturday’s practice was the second day in pads for WSU, and that affects the linemen more than any others on the field. While Johnson and Pitoitua — both bulked up from last year — have impressed, the linemen on the offensive side of the ball have been just as happy to get a chance to hit once again.
“The intensity on the line goes up a whole lot,” starting left guard Norvell Holmes said. “You have to be more physical. You’re in pads; there’s more contact. I haven’t hit somebody since the Apple Cup, so it’s exciting.”
Notes
Redshirt freshman lineman Colin Donovan, who injured his right leg in practice on Friday, had a dislocated right patella and, pending an MRI examination, is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. … Saturday’s scrimmage included a resumption of the kicking competition that followed WSU throughout much of last season. Both Loren Langley and Graham Siderius hit three field goals, but give Langley the slight edge from the team’s first scrimmage as he hit a 53-yarder with the gusting wind at his back while Siderius missed.