Doba gives tired Cougars some much needed rest

PULLMAN – A slight breeze blew over the practice field at Washington State University on Friday afternoon, finally cooling down the soaring temperatures that had been the norm all week.

But it did nothing to cool down the Cougar offense.

In fact, not even a questionable call by an “official” could cool down the offense.

In a practice shortened to about an hour and a half, the offense was running on red for most of the 90 minutes.

Take the final bit of practice, an 11-on-11 drill pitting the top offensive and defensive units in a simulated overtime.

Starting on the 25, the offense scored in four plays, two Dwight Tardy runs for 13 yards and two Alex Brink-to-Jed Collins passes for the other 12.

But, after Collins stretched the ball into the end zone and celebrated following the second completion, head coach Bill Doba stepped in.

Or was it defensive coordinator Bill Doba? Actually, in this case, it was referee Bill Doba.

Doba picked up the ball, informed everyone Collins was down at the 3-yard-line (a decision in no way supported by instant replay) and then pushed the offense back 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Big deal.

Tardy went outside left end to take the ball to the 10. On the next play he scooted around the right side escorted by guard Dan Rowland. But neither had anyone to hit, as the defense had all slid inside. Touchdown. Celebration. Practice over.

And it was short. Plus a scheduled practice for this morning was cancelled, allowing the Cougars more than 24 hours of rest before tonight’s 7:30 scrimmage, the last of three scheduled scrimmages.

Asked if he shortened practices because he was happy with how his team was performing or if he thought his guys had tired legs, Doba answered, “a little bit of both.

“Watching video we looked at the guys who were here all summer,” he continued, “and they didn’t have that burst. So we cut it short.”

Notes

Starting linebacker Cory Evans wasn’t on the field during the overtime drill. He was sidelined due to a season-ending injury – to his shoe. His right one suffered an eight-inch gash, rendering Evans a spectator. … End Mike Graise had the defensive play of the day, getting into the right flat and grabbing a Brink pass as he was falling forward. … There is nothing too trivial not to practice. When the offense fumbled, during the scramble for the ball, cornerbacks coach Dave Walkosky came running in yelling “point, point.” The defensive players started emphatically pointing toward their goal as if they had recovered the ball.