WSU football forecast

Bright spot

Sophomore wideout Brandon Gibson made the catch of the spring – maybe the catch of the year, upcoming season included – when he reached high in the air to make a one-handed catch, coming down with his right toes inside the end line by about an inch during a red-zone passing drill. Gibson clearly possessed the ball with his right hand alone before coming down in bounds, a catch so impressive that defensive coordinator Robb Akey rushed to his side to offer congratulations.

Still a little hazy

Cougars fans better hope Alex Brink’s passes don’t get deflected at the line of scrimmage this fall. In the funniest scene of the spring, offensive linemen fared horribly against their defensive counterparts in a punt-receiving competition at the end of a short Friday practice. Sean O’Connor and Josh Duin failed to make a single catch on six chances, launched at the other end of the practice field by a JUGS machine. Meanwhile, defensive tackles Aaron Johnson and Matt Eichelberger managed to make at least a catch apiece, forcing the offensive players and coaches to do a series of up-downs. “We’re not eligible (receivers),” offensive line coach George Yarno protested afterward.

By Glenn Kasses