Scrimmage No. 2: Offense sputters

PULLMAN -- Defense was the name of the game Wednesday night in WSU’s second scrimmage of fall camp. The Cougar stop corps, despite the absence of Will Derting and Hamza Abdullah, put heavy pressure on the QBs and flew to the ball. Two interceptions, three sacks and – save for some stellar work by rookie running back Jerome Harrison – a near shutdown of the ground game.

Head coach Bill Doba said he was quite pleased with the defense, which also dominated the first scrimmage this past Saturday. But he quipped that he’ll still have the kids out practicing tomorrow.

Good thing, too, because the Cougar O – regardless of how well the D performed – looked like they’d have had a tough time with the Pullman High Greyhounds.

There were holding and false start calls, illegal formation penalties, and fumbled center-quarterback exchanges. You name it, and the offense seemed to find a way to point the gun directly at its foot and pull the trigger. Doba called it, “A lack of focus and concentration.”

Sophomore linebacker Brian Hall came up with the first pick on Josh Swogger after the sophomore signal caller had completed a pair of long swing passes to running back Chris Bruhn. JC transfer Tyron Brackenridge recorded the other interception on walk-on quarterback Mike Reilly.

Bruhn only played in the first series because he is resting a thigh bruise. He finished the day with 2 receptions for 30 yards and 1 carry for 2 yards.

Harrison, a transfer from Pasadena City College, got an opportunity to shine his first scrimmage as a Cougar and didn’t disappoint. He racked up 55 yards on 12 carries and proved a difficult target to bring down for the defense, picking up chunks of yardage after contact.

Defensive ends Adam Braidwood, Mkristo Bruce, and Adam West each recorded one sack.

On special teams, kickers Graham Siderius and Loren Langley each connected on field goals of 37 yards, and the freshman Langley also hit one from 47 yards out.

Swogger led all quarterbacks with 66 passing yards. He completed 8-of-16, including a 10-yard scoring strike to junior receiver Trandon Harvey.

Redshirt junior Tramaine Murray was the leading receiver, hauling in two balls for 48 yards. Freshman Michael Bumpus continued to impress, catching three passes for 26 yards.

The Cougars’ next scrimmage is Saturday at 3:30 p.m.