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Good morning Coug fans, and welcome to the 2021 college football season. Cross your fingers this season goes off without a hitch, unlike last year. Our Washington State Cougars—most of them, at least—took to the practice field yesterday for the first day of fall camp. So long Lewiston, Idaho, hello Pullman, Wash.
As far as first days go, it doesn’t seem like this one was too different from your normal first days of practice. The roster has ballooned, thanks to the extra year given to last year’s participants.
Speaking of participants, two players who we assume will have key roles this season were not practicing. Deon McIntosh and C.J. Moore were late getting to practice, so they were turned back. I don’t know if it was just a case of the dilly dallying, or if they woke up late. If it’s the latter, I’m happy to provide my dog as an alarm clock, seeing as my dog likes to wake me up about 45 minutes before I’m supposed to. It’s no coincidence that I’m never late.
Anyway, some players caught passes, others threw them, and it’s really a fool’s errand to try and figure anything out on day one, especially when the team isn’t even in pads.
But we did get to hear from Nick Rolovich and a few players post-practice, so let’s hear what they had to say:
Nick Rolovich
One random takeaway: Rolo highlighted the team’s unity. It’s real easy for a team that is still so new to a coach to have some fractures, and given what has transpired the last few weeks, it’s even easier. Let’s hope the team truly is united and plays like it.
Jayden de Laura
One random takeaway: This is the first time we’ve heard from de Laura, as freshman don’t do media in Rolo’s regime. Given his offseason suspension and banning from spring football, it’s nice to hear him say all the right things. He mentioned he was trying to get rid of some unhealthy weight. Note to Jayden: That is a lifelong endeaver. Good luck.
Max Borghi
One random takeaway: Borghi seems excited for the new offense and being a senior. Also, I wouldn’t want to be stiff-armed by those guns, would you?
Jahad Woods
One random takeaway: Both Rolovich and Woods singled out linebacker and true freshman Francisco Mauigoa, the younger brother of former Coug Frederick Mauigoa. Now is the time of year when we hear about true freshman who could play right away, and we’ll see if Mauigoa is one of them.
Links
Washington State QB Jayden de Laura had meaningful conversation with younger brother in wake of spring suspension | The Spokesman-Review
PULLMAN – Over the past six months, since the incident that briefly derailed his college football career, Jayden de Laura probably felt like he was in no position to turn down advice and knowledge from those with more wisdom and life experience than Washington State’s 19-year-old quarterback.
With 118 players on the roster, Cougars open preseason: Notes and observations from Day 1 of Washington State camp | The Spokesman-Review
Washington State will hold 25 preseason practices before opening the season on Sept. 4 against Utah State. The Spokesman-Review will be in attendance for each of those, tracking the relevant storylines, notes, depth chart developments and key plays as the Cougars ramp up to the 2021 football season. Below are observations from day one of fall camp in Pullman.
Minshew just wants chance to compete for Jags' starting job | The Spokesman-Review
Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew looks forward to position battle with No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence
Cougar Football Opens Fall Practice - Washington State University Athletics
WSU opened fall practice Friday morning.
Clarke and Wallack Take the Court for Canada at the FIBA U-19 World Cup - Washington State University Athletics
PULLMAN, Wash. – A pair of Cougars will represent the Washington State women's basketball team at the 2021 FIBA U-19 Women's Basketball World Cup.
WSU Athletics Establishes Record-Setting Fundraising Year - Washington State University Athletics
WSU Athletics raised more than $30 million in FY21.
Cougars Set to Play in 2022 Frisco Classic in Texas - Washington State University Athletics
WSU will face Texas A&M, Wichita State and Iowa next season.
Another year, another quarterback battle for the Cougs | krem.com
This is the fourth straight camp that WSU's quarterback job is up for grabs. Nick Rolovich spoke to the media about it on Thursday before camp begins on Friday.