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Training camp is officially over the season is underway. The first practice of the regular season took place yesterday and it was closed to the public and media. Now, it would be nearly impossible to close off practice at WSU, so several daring reporters watched the practice from the top of the CUB elevator.
On to the news and notes:
- This was the first practice since classes started on Monday. Because of this, walk-ons were on the field practicing for the first time. Caple's article listed all of them, but the most interesting name on the list was Drew Loftus. You might remember him as the guy who was cut from the team after walking out of Dissmore's, after buying eggs, with two bottles of tequila down his pants.
- Mark openly worried about the health of Damante Horton on the HCA yesterday but, apparently, there's nothing to worry about. Horton was a full participant and, according to Caple, took all of the first team reps.
- I've been to a couple of practices so far this year and the coaches have not seemed to be all that happy with special teams as a whole so far, so it's probably good that most of today's practice focused on kickoff and punt coverage.
The changes: Apodaca changed from No. 2 to No. 17; Theron West changed from No. 13 to No. 24; Daquawn Brown changed from No. 5 to No. 25; Isaac Dotson changed from No. 24 to No. 31; Feddie Davey changed from No. 1 to No. 36; Kyle Lappano changed from No. 33 to No. 39; Cole Madison changed from No. 89 to No. 61 a few days ago; Xavier Cooper changed from No. 9 back to No. 96; and Emmitt Su'a-Kalio changed from No. 96 to No. 99.
There are a lot of links today. Christian Caple continues to kill his preseason coverage with two position previews on top of the practice report, there's a couple of national outlets previewing the Coug's season, a few looks at the first game from the opponent's POV, news on the recently cut and then signed Rian Lindell and pieces on WSU Olympic sports. But first, we'll start with, in my opinion, the best story of the day.
No White Flags
Gonzaga Prep Retires Gleason's Number
Steve Gleason was on hand at his high school alma mater Gonzaga Prep as the Bullpups retired his #34.
Gonzaga Prep retires Steve Gleason’s jersey | KREM.com Spokane
Gonzaga Prep retired former star football player Steve Gleason’s jersey number Tuesday afternoon in a special ceremony at the school that honored not just his play on the field, but his special battle to fight ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and bring awareness to the disease.
Football
Notes from WSU's first closed practice - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Aug. 20, 2013
Washington State's practice earlier this afternoon had a distinct game-week feel to it -- though the Cougars' opener at Auburn is still 11 days away. And we watched practice from the elevator tower for the first time this season. So did a few other people.
Special teams remain work in progress for Cougs - Spokesman.com - Aug. 20, 2013
Satisfaction is not a part of Eric Russell’s vocabulary, nor is it an acceptable state of mind for the Washington State special-teams coordinator.
WSU football position review: Defensive backs - Spokesman.com - Aug. 19, 2013
There is no position group on Washington State’s football team that has better experienced the tumult of the past three seasons than the Cougars’ secondary.
WSU second scrimmage is closer to finding some starters | Sports | KLEW CBS 3 - News, Weather and Sports - Lewiston, ID
Division I football in the Palouse had it's second consecutive week of scrimmages, and we're that much closer to finding some starters on the Cougar side.
NCAA Football Preview - Washington State Cougars | kare11.com
It has been 10 years since Washington State made it to a bowl game. After a 3-9 finish last season it has also been 10 years since the Cougars have had a winning record. It would have been a lot to ask for Leach to turn all that around in one season but in year two, the expectation is that the team will at least threaten for postseason play.
Pac-12 Preview: Washington State | Lindy's Sports
Washington State hopes it’s not starting a death march right away. The Cougars open at Auburn, then travel to USC before hosting Southern Utah and Idaho in one of the more odd schedules in America.
Football (From the Auburn Perspective)
No Turnovers for Nick Marshall yet, Tigers prepare for Washington St. | WIAT CBS42
It was the final day of Fall camp in Auburn and Pullman,Washington as well. We know Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn loves to go fast. But during his best season at Texas Tech, Mike Leach’s team averaged 60 passes a game.
AUBURN FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: As camp ends, focus shifts to Washington State - OANow.com: AU Football
Finally, Auburn can focus exclusively on Washington State. With its opener 11 days away, the grind of preseason camp came to a halt Tuesday night when the Tigers wrapped their final practice of the summer. School starts Wednesday, and with it comes a shift in focus.
Auburn football: Ford, Jones out for season opener | The Montgomery Advertiser | montgomeryadvertiser.com
A defense without its leading returning tackler will also be without its only proven pass rusher and one of the top defensive backs for at least the first game of the season.
Cougs in the NFL
Former Buffalo Bills K Rian Lindell agrees with Tampa Bay Buccaneers - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN
Ex-Buffalo Bills kicker Rian Lindell agreed to a contract Tuesday night with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to a team source.
Track and Field
Coach Rick Sloan Sets 2014 Retirement from WSU - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Rick Sloan, the men's and women's track and field head coach and the dean of Cougar coaches, has announced he will retire from Washington State University at the end of the 2014 outdoor season.
Women's Soccer
An Interview with Keidane McAlpine - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State Soccer Coach Keidane McAlpine is featured in the 2013 Fall edition of Washington State Magazine. Coach McAlpine was interviewed at his Bohler Athletic Complex office. Below are excerpts from the interview that were not used in the story or expands on topics discussed in the magazine feature.
Actual Hot Cougars:
It was a hit during my last installment of Hot Cougar Action, so I'm taking the bold, courageous step once more. I'm doing this for you, the reader. I might even get kicked off the site for posting this kind of smut. You better enjoy it.
Smokin' Hot Cougar
There are two things I look for in a cougar: she has to be an athlete and has to have blue eyes. This one is perfect.