I'm sorry I haven't updated the blog in a few days. I was out of town and didn't have internet access (I swear my mom still lives in the Dark Ages). I'm back know...and as always I have my weekly report from Pullman.

I don't know if it was the heat, but the energy level at practice today didn't seem very high. At one point, the first team defense ran onto the field for a drill and Chris Ball sent them back to the sideline (he was mad...yelling at them). A few seconds later they took the field, but this time they were sprinting and screaming (Ball obviously noticed the lack of motivation/energy as well).

I noticed that the linebackers are really banged up. Jason Stripling, Cory Evans, and Kendrick Dunn didn't practice today. Dunn (injured sometime this week) had a boot on his left foot and was walking with a heavy limp. I heard him talking about the injury...he said he stepped on someone's foot and hurt himself.

There are only a few significant injuries on offense. Dwight Tardy did not practice today, but he did come out with the running backs and stretch. Tight end Tony Thompson also didn't participate today. It also sounds like a illness is going around the team (especially the offense). Brandon Gibson was really bogged down (he looked miserable) and it kept him out of a lot of drills. I also saw a trainer spraying some Chloraseptic (or something like it) in Benny Ward's mouth because he was struggling through the same bug. Hopefully they're feeling better come Saturday.

There are some significant changes to the starting lineup (I'm guessing some of you heard about these already). Alfonso Jackson is healthy again and he's moving back to safety (he moved from safety to cornerback during camp). Safety Myron Beck is moving up to play at linebacker (I questioned this move at first, but got a closer look at Beck today...he's definitely got the size to succeed there). It's not really a change (because he's already seen plenty of time on the inside), but Matt Mullenix will continue to get snaps at defensive tackle (he usually plays defensive end). Vaughn Lesuma, formerly an offensive tackle, is moving to guard. Plus, Joe Eppele (a huge dude, 6'8" 294 lbs.) and B.J. Guerra will compete with Steven Ayers for playing time at right guard.

I asked Wulff which move he thought would make the biggest impact...he said the return of Xavier Hicks. As you might remember, Hicks was suspended for the first three games of the season after he was found guilty of putting rubbing alcohol in his roommate's contact lens case. The junior safety appears to be jumping right into a leadership role. Before warm-ups he was yelling to the defense (over and over again), "Big plays and takeaways!" I asked him about returning to game action and he told me "it's like letting a lion out of its cage"...he's ready to rock.

I've heard a lot of people doubting the Cougars ("I don't think Washington State can even beat Portland State," etc.). If history tells us anything, Wazzu will win on Saturday. The Cougs are 40-2 all-time against Big Sky Conference opponents (the Vikings are in the Big Sky...I think I forgot to mention that). No matter how bad you think WSU is this year...they're not as bad as a Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) team. THE COUGARS WILL WIN ON SATURDAY! The players want it more than anyone else. A'i Ahmu told me today, "We feel like we should win this game and we are going to do everything we can to win." The quote itself doesn't do him justice...you could tell that he really meant it.

There's one last thing I want to mention (then it's time for bed). I asked Wulff about the thrill of coaching against guys like Jerry Glanville (Portland State's head coach) and Mouse Davis (the Vikings offensive coordinator). Both have coached for years, and years, and years (at every possible level). Wulff's response was priceless:

"Between the two of them it's close to 190 years of age," he said with a laugh (and everyone laughed with him). He then got serious and talked about how you have to respect guys who have been in the business for so long.

NOTE: He actually wasn't that far off. There are 142 years of age between them. Glanville is 66. Davis is 76 (seriously!).

I like that Wulff can still have a good time even though his team isn't off to a very good start. He can still joke around and laugh. I know it's clichéd, but he made a valid point today. "There's no reason to panic," he told me and went on to explain that there are still ten games to play and that good things will happen along the way.

That's all I have for now...hopefully I can get back on here tomorrow with some more information about this weekend, the team, etc.

Feel free to ask any questions that you might have!

P.S. I'm told Kevin Lopina will start at quarterback if his wrist is OK (he hurt it in his first start against Baylor). I watched plenty of him today to see that the injury doesn't seem to be bothering him, so expect to see him leading the charge this weekend.

1 Comments

Joe Kane said:

Hope your right Mr. Lewis about the cougs winning this one! This game couldnt have come at a better time for this squad.

September 18, 2008 1:24 PM

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