WSU gets ready for Oklahoma State
With fall camp behind them, the WSU football team participated in its final full speed practice before the Saturday showdown with Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla.
The Cougars spent the majority of practice fine tuning certain things before the game with the Cowboys and Head Coach Paul Wulff said the team is ready to play a new opponent.
“We got some things done today, and I think we’re really ready to play somebody else, I know that,” Wulff said.
The first team offense and defense spent most of their time working against the scout team to get a look at some Oklahoma State schemes. Both units showed polish; with sophomore quarterback Jeff Tuel connecting with all sorts of receivers for touchdowns and several defenders pulling down interceptions.
“I was real happy,” Tuel said. “We had team here, I think it was like the first four plays we came out and had big plays or scored. I think we’re starting to execute really well.”
Tuel connected with senior receiver Daniel Blackledge for touchdowns twice and found junior receiver Jared Karstetter for two more scores.
“I feel like we’ve had this all camp,” Tuel said. “It’s just cleaning things up and polishing it. But I feel real good about those guys (Blackledge and Karstetter) and all the receivers actually.”
Redshirt sophomore tight end Andrei Lintz and freshman receiver Marquess Wilson shared the catch of the day honors. Lintz dove for a touchdown reception in the middle of the endzone, while Wilson made a leaping touchdown snag on a pass that looked as if it would carry over his head and out of the back of the endzone.
On defense, junior middle linebacker Mike Ledgerwood said he wasn’t particularly pleased with the defense Wednesday, but said the unit will be ready Saturday.
“We didn’t come out ready to go today, especially the linebackers,” Ledgerwood said. “I don’t know what it was about today or whatever, but I know for sure we’re going to come out running … Saturday.”
Ledgerwood did credit the defense for forcing turnovers.
“We have defensive goals that we have and we want about three turnovers every game, every practice,” Ledgerwood said. “Wherever we go that’s our goal.”
Redshirt freshman cornerback Nolan Washington has been nursing a hip injury, but made it out to practice for the last two practices. Washington is listed as a starter on the depth chart and Wulff said he expects him to be ready to play the Cowboys.
“He’s gotten through the last two days, and I think he feels pretty good so, you know, he’s going to play,” Wulff said. “He’ll probably end up starting, but there’s no question Anthony Carpenter is going to play a tremendous amount if he doesn’t start.”
The Cougars have one final practice in Pullman Thursday before they make their trip to Oklahoma. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the game will be televised on FSN.
