Did WSU lose another defensive lineman?

I sincerely hope you’ve carved out some time to read today, because with the Washington State Cougars’ season opener against the Wyoming Cowboys on deck — about 27 hours away as I type this — there is no shortage of content regarding your favorite team.

Most of them are preview-ish type things, but there was one piece of news that dropped on Thursday night: In a rare moment of player eligibility transparency, Mike Leach revealed on his weekly radio show that defensive lineman Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei probably won’t play tomorrow.

“Well, they’re still trying to get his paperwork done,” Leach said. “He looked good in camp, but they’re still trying to get his paperwork done with the NCAA, which some of it I don’t understand, the overseas stuff and trying to match everything up, so he’s in the middle of that. Anyway, we look forward to when he’s back.”

That portion of the show is at the 19:50 mark.

If you need a refresher on just how thin the defensive line is, here’s our story on the departure of backup nose tackle Jonathan Lolohea. Aiolupotea-Pei was expected to be one of the players to fill in as a backup for starting nose tackle Taylor Comfort, a former walk-on who was put on scholarship after last season. There is no third-string nose tackle listed on the depth chart.

[insert grimacing emoji here]

Links

Cougar Football Players Rewarded for Hard Work with Scholarships - Washington State University
Washington State University coaches awarded scholarships to redshirt-sophomore Dillon Sherman, redshirt-juniors Trey Tinsley, Brandon Arconado, and Tristan Brock, and redshirt-seniors Kyle Celli and Taylor Comfort.

Get to know the enemy: Washington State – The UW Student Newspaper Online

Cougars attempt to corral Cowboys in season opener – The Daily Evergreen

Cougars brace for a quintessential Bohl defense | Sports | dnews.com
In playing a home-and-home series against Wyoming during the latter half of the 2010s, Washington State has somehow avoided facing Josh Allen, the Cowboys quarterback who in April became the No. 7 selection in the NFL draft. It's too early for the Cougs to celebrate, because they still have to face what Craig Bohl believes is one of the premier defenses of his singular career.

Cougars ready for their season opener - KXLY
The Washington State Cougars are just two days away from their season opener in the 2018 season, and they are ready to head to Wyoming.

Previewing the Jim Walden Bowl: An all-encompassing Q&A with the former Washington State coach and Wyoming quarterback | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
PULLMAN – In a game that generally produces one winner and one loser, there should be only one outcome for Jim Walden this Saturday. Whether Washington State or Wyoming wins Saturday’s nonconference matchup at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Walden is likely to be satisfied, probably sporting a grin spanning from one end zone to the other.

Meet WSU QB Minshew | Washington State University | union-bulletin.com
It was only one sentence, but it was enough to help convince Gardner Minshew to change course and back out of his commitment to Alabama and come to Washington State.

Script flipped: With several key pieces gone, Washington State must rebuild to stay in Pac-12 title discussion | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
As offseasons go, there isn’t a college football team that experienced a more turbulent one than Washington State – and thus you won’t find a group more eager to get into a real game setting than the Cougars.

Block buster: Peyton Pelluer, Washington State’s beloved middle linebacker, is preparing for his swan song with the Cougars ... again | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
A debilitating foot injury could’ve spelled the end of Peyton Pelluer’s career with the Cougars had it come exactly one week later. Instead, the hearbeat of Washington State’s defense is back for year No. 6 in Pullman, and he hopes to go out with a bang.

Juiced up: Washington State using unconventional formula to prepare for Wyoming’s nationally renowned altitude | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
The Cougars are calling some dietary audibles, and drinking gallons of beet juice, ahead of Saturday’s season opener at War Memorial Stadium in Wyoming, which sits at an FBS-record elevation of 7,220 feet.

With new defensive coordinator, a different vibe but similar ideas at WSU | Sports | dnews.com
With Grinch now at Ohio State, Claeys is calling the shots for the Cougars' defense.

Another DL hit? Mike Leach on radio indicates NT might be out - Cougfan.com
MIKE LEACH BROKE some news on his radio show Thursday night. Alas, it's not the kind Washington State fans will like to hear. Defensive end Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei, who has been manning the No. 2 nose tackle spot since Jonathan Lolohea abruptly left the program earlier this month, is still trying to get some paperwork sorted out with the NCAA. Leach didn't say whether the matter might or might not be sorted out by Saturday's opener vs. Wyoming, but he sure didn't sound optimistic.

Luke Falk takes every snap for Titans in final preseason game - Cougfan.com
He guided the Titans on a 16-play, 69-yard drive — completing 4 of 5 passes for 37 yards — en route to a field goal that put the Titans ahead 3-0 in the first quarter, but it was tough going from there. The Titans didn’t score again and the Vikings won 13-3. Falk completed 13 of 24 passes for 114 yards no interceptions.

Video: Wazzu DC Claeys has good feel for what Cowboys will run - Cougfan.com

Mike Leach big fan of this Cougar RB's hustle - Cougfan.com

Thursday thoughts as WSU heads into Wyoming - Cougfan.com

WSU's Dave Nichol on Wyoming: 'They ain't scared of us' - Cougfan.com

VIDEO: Mike Leach says Wyoming tape nice, but experience better - Cougfan.com

Mental Health

‘You never know what’s going on inside.’ How Boise State is addressing athletes’ mental health. | Boise State University Broncos Sports | magicvalley.com
It’s the sort of image you rarely see outside the end of a sports movie — the unheralded quarterback carried off the field on people’s shoulders, moments after leading an incredible victory. Four months after the Cougars’ backup saved the day, he was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. That hit close to home at Boise State, and has reverberated around college athletics.

WSU Athletics

Cougars Little Spikers Kids Clinic Registration Open - Washington State University
PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Washington State volleyball coaching staff and players will conduct a series of three Little Spikers one-hour volleyball clinics this fall for girls and boys grades K-6th (ages 5-12).

Cougar Cross Country Hosts WSU Alumni Meet Friday - Washington State University

Cougars Add Three To 2018 Baseball Signing Class - Washington State University
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State Baseball added three student-athletes to its 2018 signing class, head coach Marty Lees announced Friday.