Apr. 12—Thursday marked the halfway point of spring camp for the Washington State football team and the offense may have had its best performance yet, according to head coach Jake Dickert.
There were no interceptions, no fumbles and a plethora of touchdowns throughout the day in Pullman.
“Obviously it was live replays today. Whenever you do that, it brings a lot of energy,” Dickert said. “I thought (quarterback) John (Mateer) was extremely sharp all day and came out and made some plays. It’s good to see receivers in live situations getting some yards after the catch.”
Running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker and wide receivers Kyle Williams, Josh Meredith and Kris Hutson were among the players who reached the end zone. Meredith’s TD came with a classy jump from Mateer.
And edge Nusi Malani almost got an unlikely pick-six from quarterback Zevi Ekhaus that was handled and overturned.
“I can’t wait to see it on film and we’re going to show it to the whole team too,” Dickert said. “He had it, he dropped it. It’s a big man’s dream for a pick-six and it just slipped through his fingers.”
A crowded race room
One of the biggest position battles of the spring is at running back, where a conglomeration of ball carriers is competing to replace veteran Nakia Watson.
The rushing attack has been a major weakness for the Cougs in recent seasons. Last year, WSU ranked 11th in the Pac-12 Conference in rushing yards per game (85.3) and yards per carry (3.0).
On Thursday, the group was a positive point.
“Another good day for our backs and our best day in football,” Dickert said.
Throughout the spring, WSU is splitting reps evenly among about four running backs: freshman Wayshawn Parker, redshirt freshman Leo Pulalasi, sophomore Schlenbaker and junior Dylan Paine.
Dickert said the goal when 15 spring practices are over is “we have the exact same reps, we have the exact same operators and let the film do the talking.”
As far as the vision test goes, Parker has looked good at times, but will need to gain more weight, weighing in at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds.
Pulalasi showed his potential last season when he came in during a game against Cal and immediately made a huge impact on the offense with a 10-yard run, a 7-yard reception, a block that flattened the defensive backs on a big QB run. He capped the drive by pushing tight end Cooper Mathers into the end zone for a touchdown.
Pulalasi just needs to show more regularity.
Djouvensky and Paine are the most experienced, but have been buried on the depth chart in recent seasons.
“I thought this was the best day for Leo to see some urgency,” Dickert said. “He’s a guy that we need to pay a little more attention to on a daily basis, but you saw today what he can do live.
“Wayshawn did some good things and I think DP and Djouvensky continue to define their role and push.”
Kaster brings ‘new energy’ to O-line
The offensive line is another position group that was overmatched against stellar competition.
That’s why the Cougars are hoping new coach Jared Kaster can breathe new life into the group.
Kaster spent last season as co-offensive coordinator at Austin Peay at the Football Championship Subdivision level. He then briefly joined the UTEP staff before traveling to the Palouse to join Dickert’s staff last month.
He replaced head coach Clay McGuire.
“I think the biggest thing talking to all these guys is that there’s a new energy in the room, and I think that’s a positive,” Dickert said. “It has nothing to do with Clay, it’s just that there’s a good energy to what they’re doing, (and) I think they’re really communicating and responding to the new techniques.”
Because of injuries, there are currently about 10 to 15 players competing for playing time on the O-line and the group could look very different come fall camp.
Wiebe can be reached at (208) 848-2260, swiebe@lmtribune.com or on Twitter @StephanSports.
