Cougs can’t run from problem
PULLMAN – Washington State has watched as the last two games have spun out of their control.
The best way to change that? Run the ball, of course.
But that’s been easier said than done for the Cougars, who have held the ball for less than 25 minutes on offense in each of the last two weeks.
In the process, they’ve run for just 72 yards, continuing a string of futility that has lasted for much of the Pac-10 season.
“Every time I get the ball I’m trying to make something happen and it’s just not coming to me,” running back Dwight Tardy said. “I’m getting a little frustrated. I don’t know what to do.”
Tardy, a redshirt freshman, may have suffered a bit from the injuries sustained by the other two-thirds of what was a three-headed backfield.
Derrell Hutsona has been out of action with an ankle sprain and DeMaundray Woolridge missed last week’s game with a stinger.
If there is any good news for WSU’s ground game, it’s that Hutsona is back in practice this week, and saying that he’ll play against Washington in Saturday’s crucial Apple Cup.
“The injury now is more for me the pressure running and pushing off of my left ankle,” he said. “But side-to-side movements, I can rotate my ankle. And with this brace I’m able to make cuts and my ankle is stable. I think I’ll be able to do the typical things I’m able to do.”
In Tardy’s defense, the offensive line seems to be struggling to open up holes – no matter who it is running behind it.
Offensive line coach George Yarno said some of WSU’s mild success running the ball earlier this season has resulted in teams sending extra defenders toward the line of scrimmage. As a result, the Cougars have been forced to throw early, and they haven’t established much on the ground.
After falling behind early in each of the last two weeks, it’s been too late for WSU to establish a running game.
“We’re seeing a lot more safeties closer to the box and in the box,” Yarno said. “That can hurt your running game. You can get them 1-on-1 with a safety, but then if the safety makes a tackle you’ve got a 3-, 4-yard gain, no gain, whatever. We got spoiled a little bit last year with a guy (Jerome Harrison) who could make one guy miss every time.”
Whatever the problem, WSU doesn’t have much time left to iron things out. While Washington’s offense is less likely to post a big lead as Arizona State’s did last weekend, the Cougars will still need to get some rushing attack going or they’ll risk losing control of yet another contest.
“We’re struggling on the line,” Tardy said. “I think on all aspects on offense – people are running the wrong routes, We’re missing assignments here and there, forgetting the plays, whatever the case may be – the offense as a whole is struggling.”
Notes
Wide receivers Jason Hill and Michael Bumpus ran for about 15 minutes before practice Wednesday, but neither took part in the full-team session thereafter. … The team moved practice indoors for the second time this season, the first coming last Thursday.