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Apr. 13—PULLMAN — The rain held off until the conclusion of the Cougars' 15th and final spring practice, allowing the approximately 1,000 fans who showed up to Gesa Field to catch a glimpse of first-year coach Jimmy Rogers' Washington State Cougars during their first ever Crimson and Gray Spring Showcase.
The event, which replaced a traditional spring game of years past, more closely resembled a typical practice with a series of drills followed by about 60 snaps of an 11-on-11 full-padded scrimmage.
The Crimson offense (intuitively clad in crimson jerseys), edged the Gray defense (in contrast, wearing white uniforms) 16-14.
The offense scored its points on two touchdowns, an extra point and a field goal. The defense started with 14 points and could only add to it with defensive touchdowns, which it failed to do.
Far more important to Rogers than that score was the progress of individual players.
"We got quality work (which allowed) the guys to get out here and play in front of fans," Rogers said. "I think it matters because I think they get an opportunity to play with a little heightened sense of awareness and come out here and execute."
Rogers' defense sets the tone
If there was a play to be made on Saturday, it was likely that No. 23 was in the vicinity.
Safety Matt Durrance — a 6-foot-2-inch, 213-pound South Dakota State transfer — made several standout plays during the scrimmage.
The Lutz, Fla., native nearly came down with an interception on WSU quarterback Zevi Eckhaus' underthrown deep shot and laid down several harsh hits, including a late one on redshirt freshman running back Josh Joyner that drew a raucous reaction from the Crimson-clad sideline.
The officials penalized Durrance for the late hit.
While far from an ideal situation, it's the kind of competitive fire that Rogers, who recruited Durrance out of high school to SDSU, has come to expect.
"He's a competitive kid, and we brought him here for a reason," Rogers said. "He's gonna have the opportunity to showcase his skills next fall. I'm excited for him."
Rogers also praised defensive backs Tucker Large, Kayo Patu and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Ben Beatty, who recorded two "simulated two-hand touch" sacks of Eckhaus.
The defense conceded two touchdowns, one of which featured senior wide receiver Leon Neal Jr. cutting open in the red zone and trotting in for the score.
"We got to grow collectively as a defense to make sure that plays in the end zone when a guy is cutting wide open (are made)," Rogers said. "That's just a mental cost, not necessarily offensive execution. The more we can eliminate bad mistakes like that, the better off we'll be next fall."
A clean day for Zevi and company
This time last year, Eckhaus was new to the Palouse after three standout years at Bryant (R.I.) of the Football Champioship Subdivision and was engaged in a battle for the starting job with eventual national darling John Mateer.
This year, Washington State trotted out four quarterbacks in its Spring Showcase with Eckhaus taking more than 30 snaps with the No. 1 offense and a combination of sophomore Jaxon Potter, redshirt freshman Hunter Najm and junior transfer Reilly Garcia leading the Cougars' other combinations.
Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM
Each QB put together a turnover-free outing.
"The (starting QB) job isn't just straight-up Zevi's," Rogers said. "There's gonna be more competition coming this summer."
Through over 30 snaps, Eckhaus completed about 75% of his passes for more than 140 yards and a touchdown.
Potter completed all but two of his 11 passes and threw a touchdown.
The WSU offensive line — entirely comprised of returners — drew praise from Rogers on Saturday.
"That first group was pretty solid, and we need to continue to build around that — what they've done for us thus far this spring," Rogers said. "There's some good leaders in that group."
Two out of five O-line starters remain from last season with Hilborn taking over right tackle after beginning last season in that position and Brock Dieu, who started 11 games at right guard and two at center, taking over snapping duties.
The Cougars' No. 1 offensive line also includes 6-foot-7 sophomore Ashton Tripp of Kennewick taking most of the left tackle reps next to Jonny Lester of Spokane at left guard and third-year Coug Noah Dunham at right guard.
Leon Neal Jr. shines
Weeks after earning a scholarship, Neal continued to show out.
"Leon Neal has come out and made plays pretty consistently," Rogers said. "It's a guy that maybe hadn't had an opportunity to come on the field and have meaningful reps, but he's made the most of every opportunity."
Eckhaus found Neal for a 20-yard gain early in the period and a 9-yard touchdown. Wide receiver Josh Meredith, tight end Hudson Cedarland and running back Kirby Vorhees also got multiple touches.
"I'm so proud of the growth that Leon has had, and it's a shame that you guys are just now finding out how damn good of a player he is," Eckhaus said. "He is a hell of a player and I'm really excited to see what he does this fall."
Transfer portal season returns
Following 15 practices over the last six weeks, the Cougars finish the spring semester and begin a series of personal summer workouts before fall camp begins in late July or early August.
While the players focus on finals, the Cougar coaching staff turns its full attention to the spring transfer portal, which opens this week.
Several Cougs — such as running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker and cornerback Warren Smith Jr. — will enter the portal.
Tight end Andre Dollar has missed several practices, including Saturday's, but is dealing with an injury, according to Rogers.
When the Cougars resume full-time football activities in about 16 weeks, there will be just one month until Rogers' Cougar coaching debut collides with the dawn of the Thomas Ford Jr. era at Idaho. The Cougars host the Vandals to kick off their 2025 season on Aug. 31 at Gesa Field in Pullman.
Taylor can be reached at 208-848-2268, [email protected], or on X or Instagram @Sam_C_Taylor.
Continue reading...
The event, which replaced a traditional spring game of years past, more closely resembled a typical practice with a series of drills followed by about 60 snaps of an 11-on-11 full-padded scrimmage.
The Crimson offense (intuitively clad in crimson jerseys), edged the Gray defense (in contrast, wearing white uniforms) 16-14.
The offense scored its points on two touchdowns, an extra point and a field goal. The defense started with 14 points and could only add to it with defensive touchdowns, which it failed to do.
Far more important to Rogers than that score was the progress of individual players.
"We got quality work (which allowed) the guys to get out here and play in front of fans," Rogers said. "I think it matters because I think they get an opportunity to play with a little heightened sense of awareness and come out here and execute."
Rogers' defense sets the tone
If there was a play to be made on Saturday, it was likely that No. 23 was in the vicinity.
Safety Matt Durrance — a 6-foot-2-inch, 213-pound South Dakota State transfer — made several standout plays during the scrimmage.
The Lutz, Fla., native nearly came down with an interception on WSU quarterback Zevi Eckhaus' underthrown deep shot and laid down several harsh hits, including a late one on redshirt freshman running back Josh Joyner that drew a raucous reaction from the Crimson-clad sideline.
The officials penalized Durrance for the late hit.
While far from an ideal situation, it's the kind of competitive fire that Rogers, who recruited Durrance out of high school to SDSU, has come to expect.
"He's a competitive kid, and we brought him here for a reason," Rogers said. "He's gonna have the opportunity to showcase his skills next fall. I'm excited for him."
Rogers also praised defensive backs Tucker Large, Kayo Patu and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Ben Beatty, who recorded two "simulated two-hand touch" sacks of Eckhaus.
The defense conceded two touchdowns, one of which featured senior wide receiver Leon Neal Jr. cutting open in the red zone and trotting in for the score.
"We got to grow collectively as a defense to make sure that plays in the end zone when a guy is cutting wide open (are made)," Rogers said. "That's just a mental cost, not necessarily offensive execution. The more we can eliminate bad mistakes like that, the better off we'll be next fall."
A clean day for Zevi and company
This time last year, Eckhaus was new to the Palouse after three standout years at Bryant (R.I.) of the Football Champioship Subdivision and was engaged in a battle for the starting job with eventual national darling John Mateer.
This year, Washington State trotted out four quarterbacks in its Spring Showcase with Eckhaus taking more than 30 snaps with the No. 1 offense and a combination of sophomore Jaxon Potter, redshirt freshman Hunter Najm and junior transfer Reilly Garcia leading the Cougars' other combinations.
Daily headlines, straight to your inboxRead it online first and stay up-to-date, delivered daily at 7 AM
Each QB put together a turnover-free outing.
"The (starting QB) job isn't just straight-up Zevi's," Rogers said. "There's gonna be more competition coming this summer."
Through over 30 snaps, Eckhaus completed about 75% of his passes for more than 140 yards and a touchdown.
Potter completed all but two of his 11 passes and threw a touchdown.
The WSU offensive line — entirely comprised of returners — drew praise from Rogers on Saturday.
"That first group was pretty solid, and we need to continue to build around that — what they've done for us thus far this spring," Rogers said. "There's some good leaders in that group."
Two out of five O-line starters remain from last season with Hilborn taking over right tackle after beginning last season in that position and Brock Dieu, who started 11 games at right guard and two at center, taking over snapping duties.
The Cougars' No. 1 offensive line also includes 6-foot-7 sophomore Ashton Tripp of Kennewick taking most of the left tackle reps next to Jonny Lester of Spokane at left guard and third-year Coug Noah Dunham at right guard.
Leon Neal Jr. shines
Weeks after earning a scholarship, Neal continued to show out.
"Leon Neal has come out and made plays pretty consistently," Rogers said. "It's a guy that maybe hadn't had an opportunity to come on the field and have meaningful reps, but he's made the most of every opportunity."
Eckhaus found Neal for a 20-yard gain early in the period and a 9-yard touchdown. Wide receiver Josh Meredith, tight end Hudson Cedarland and running back Kirby Vorhees also got multiple touches.
"I'm so proud of the growth that Leon has had, and it's a shame that you guys are just now finding out how damn good of a player he is," Eckhaus said. "He is a hell of a player and I'm really excited to see what he does this fall."
Transfer portal season returns
Following 15 practices over the last six weeks, the Cougars finish the spring semester and begin a series of personal summer workouts before fall camp begins in late July or early August.
While the players focus on finals, the Cougar coaching staff turns its full attention to the spring transfer portal, which opens this week.
Several Cougs — such as running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker and cornerback Warren Smith Jr. — will enter the portal.
Tight end Andre Dollar has missed several practices, including Saturday's, but is dealing with an injury, according to Rogers.
When the Cougars resume full-time football activities in about 16 weeks, there will be just one month until Rogers' Cougar coaching debut collides with the dawn of the Thomas Ford Jr. era at Idaho. The Cougars host the Vandals to kick off their 2025 season on Aug. 31 at Gesa Field in Pullman.
Taylor can be reached at 208-848-2268, [email protected], or on X or Instagram @Sam_C_Taylor.
Continue reading...
