WSU coaches impressed by physicality as defense steps up on Day 4 of fall camp

Aug. 3—PULLMAN — During a break in Washington State’s fall camp practice on Saturday, the Cougars’ fifth , defensive tackles coach Pete Kaligis approached head coach Jake Dickert. The team was practicing inside run plays when Kaligis noticed something.

“Jake,” Kaligis said, “that’s the most physicality I’ve seen since we’ve been here.”

“That’s a big statement,” Dickert said later, “especially coming from a legendary (coach) like Pete Kaligis.”

That theme shone through most from the Cougars’ defense, which showed some of its finest work of fall camp. WSU’s defensive backs forced a couple of coverage sacks on quarterbacks John Mateer and Zevi Eckhaus — mimed tackles, in the interest of preventing injuries — and a few members of the Cougs’ front seven came close to interceptions.

On one sequence, edge rusher Nusi Malani, who is adjusting after moving over from the interior defensive line, shed a block and almost held on to a pick. A few plays later, transfer linebacker Parker McKenna stepped forward, leaped and batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage.

That’s not to mention of WSU’s run defense, which did a nice job of stacking up a few rushing attempts.

“I thought the defense did a good job with some of their looks,” Dickert said. “Got some hands on some balls, and tipped balls can lead to a lot of great things. I thought the offense, through the ebbs and flows of practice, did a good job finishing our fourth-quarter challenge. So a lot of positives to take from both sides.”

The Cougars are also taking another step toward fortifying their defensive line, courtesy of redshirt sophomore Bryson Lamb, who has turned some heads in recent practices. A year after being buried on the depth chart, appearing in just two games in reserve capacities , Lamb has begun to earn more reps in this year’s fall camp — and he’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wsu-coaches-impressed-physicality-defense-020200905.html

Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.

Publish date : 2024-08-04 02:02:00

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