Marshall Lobbestael's Diary: Week 3

PULLMAN – The Fourth of July doesn’t just mean BBQs, fireworks celebrating America’s independence. It also means roughly one month until fall camp and about two months until our first game of the 2011 season against Idaho State.

We had a short week, and now get a few days off around the holiday before we come back and finish the last leg of summer workouts.

I can tell you from past experience, when workouts resume next week, it is time for everything to take a step up with the beginning of fall camp and the season so close in our sights.

Time to answer some questions…

Cougstud: (How many guys are back this summer?)
Everyone is back! The freshman just got in last week and are getting started working out now that they have their compliance and orientation events finished. It’s been great to see them on campus and around the facilities and we’re all excited to have them here.

I also want to add something really quick, to the parents of the incoming freshman -- I know it was probably tough to see your sons off early this summer, but it is a great experience for them to come in June and the head start they’re getting really can make a difference in the start of their college careers, so thanks for getting them here!

I’ll have updates on the new guys in later entries, but I can say this -- some are already turning heads with their size.

TheCrimsonFanatic: From an offensive perspective, how has the defense progressed since last season, and what can we expect from the defense in 2011?
I would say changes in depth and speed are the first things that come to mind.

The defense is flying around and getting to the ball faster, and the youth as well as improved health is adding depth at certain positions. Kalafitoni Pole and Jordan Pu’u-Robinson on the d-line will make a difference for them stopping the run and rushing the passer.

Having Jay Matthews healthy in the secondary also will make an impact.

And with the defense being young last year, I think that every position is going to get better simply because they’ll have more experience. As evidenced in the spring, the battles between the o-line and d-line have gotten better and better and it will be fun to see the match ups between receivers and corners once we get going.

Keep posting questions on the CF.C message boards and I’ll do my best to answer as many as I can!

Go Cougs!
Marshall

Cougar quarterback Marshall Lobbestael hails from Oak Harbor, where he was named the 2006 state Class 4A Player of the Year by the Associated Press and Seattle Times after leading Oak Harbor High to its first-ever state championship game. During the course of his Cougar career, he has earned a Pac-10 offensive player weekly award and has started six games while playing in 20.