WSU continues to prepare for Auburn by speeding up on defense

The Cougars are going to face several fast-paced offenses this season, so the focus of fall camp practice on Wednesday was running. Lots and lots of running.

"We're doing tempo in practice, we're making them run to the sideline and back between plays, switching defenses every play in some periods, and then we're making them go 12-15 play drives," linebacker coach Ken Wilson said, via Christian Caple.

I imagine watching 300-pound defensive linemen get in on a running play, stand up and sprint to the sideline, then sprint back and get into their stance would be quite the sight to behold. Wilson said the conditioning is more than just preparing for Auburn. WSU will face a variety of offenses, many of which run up-tempo schemes, so getting in top shape is a priority.

One other interesting note came from Joe Salave'a who said the Cougars will try to avoid defensive line rotation against up-tempo teams. If WSU is going to go with one grouping for an entire, or the majority of a series, it will be interesting to see how they group them. Do you put all of your best players on one series, then have backups in? Or do you mix your lineups so you have two of your top four on the field at all times? I guess we'll see.

Football:

Cougs work on hurry-up defense - Spokesman.com - Aug. 22, 2013
All that sprinting Washington State’s defense is doing between plays at practice this week is intended to serve a purpose greater than simply preparing for an Aug. 31 game at Auburn.

Practice makes perfect, but in Cougar Football patience makes perfect | Sports | KLEW CBS 3 - News, Weather and Sports - Lewiston, ID
There's a phrase you hear from players and coaches a lot in all sports...they're just going to take it one game at a time.

WSU live chat, 1 p.m. - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Aug. 21, 2013
Have you interviewed Loftus about his road back to the team?

WSU preparing for up-tempo Auburn - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Aug. 21, 2013
Preparations rolled on for the Cougars on Wednesday, as the first-team defense continued to prepare for an up-tempo offense with a mobile quarterback. We have a few more notes after the jump, so keep reading.

Gus Malzahn 'impressed' by Washington State as Auburn enters fall routine in preparation for opener | al.com
Auburn is back in school and back in its fall routine. Players started fall classes Wednesday and took the day off from the practice field, where they met 21 times in preseason camp and finally started preparations for Washington State on Saturday.

Chicago Bears’ belief leads to second chance for Tulare’s Wilson | Sports | FresnoBee.com
Marquess Wilson, at age 14, never liked sitting at home and doing chores. So he did something about it, deciding along with some friends to go out for the football team at Tulare High. "I just wanted to play," Wilson said, "… and hang out with my friends. It was fun. Going out there and having fun with my friends.

Soccer:

Cougar Soccer Opens Season at Seattle - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State soccer begins its 2013 campaign, Friday, Aug. 23 at Seattle…match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Championship Field…Cougar roster consists of 15 returnees, including 13 letterwinners, and 11 newcomers, including three transfers…live stats will be available at www.goseattleu.edu.