PULLMAN – In the first few weeks of Washington State's spring football practice schedule, which lasted into Day 8 Thursday morning, Silas Webster has grown to like playing against one offensive lineman in particular, Esa Paul. Ta.
Webster, a transfer edge rusher from FCS Utah Tech, is learning on the fly. He's adapted to rushing the passer at the FBS level, giving him a level of competition that he didn't necessarily enjoy in previous games. At Paul, Webster, a 6-foot-7 rising senior tackle, knows what it takes to perform at a higher level.
“He makes me better, and he makes me better, you know what I mean?” Webster said. “We have to compete against each other to make each other better, and that's what I want. … I want to play against the best competitors, and he brings out the best in me. He pushes me to be great.”
But Paul and the Cougars' offense excelled in Thursday's practice. With solid pass protection and run blocking, WSU's offense had one of its best games of the spring, scoring in every way possible as the offensive line grew in confidence.
This unit is still a little difficult to evaluate. The first-team line represented Thursday (left tackle Paul, left guard Rod Tiarabear, center Devin Kailaney, right guard Noah Dunham and right tackle Johnny Lester) will likely be available in the fall. It's probably not the same thing. That's because three returning starting pitchers are out with injuries: left guard Christian Hilborn, right guard Brock Dew, and right tackle Faalili Faamoe.
But perfect or not, the Cougs' offensive line played a meaningful role in helping the playmakers get their way Thursday. Returning receivers Kyle Williams and Josh Meredith caught touchdowns, transfer receiver Chris Hutson also caught a touchdown, and running back Juvenski Schlenbaker also rumbled into the end zone.
Perhaps the most encouraging thing for the unit was that no one threw up the ball.
First-team quarterback Jon Matthia is coming off a clean practice — coaches have been grilling him lately about making too many turnovers — and second-team signal-caller Zevi Eckhaus is coming off a clean practice for edge rusher The Cougs didn't commit any turnovers, having lucked into a few interceptions, including one from Nushi Malani.
For coach Jake Dickert, the team showed more promise in Thursday's practice as the team's offense showed more of its playbook. For example, in Saturday's scrimmage, the Cougars made a run-run play “just to run,” he said.
“Today we looked at kind of the whole offensive complex and we got a lot of good RPOs from that,” Dickert said. Again, never too high or too low in practice at any time in the spring. But we have to do the work to make sure we improve. And there's a huge emphasis on the run game. It keeps getting better and better, and I think you saw that today. ”
On that front, WSU is giving equal reps to all its running backs, including Schlenbaker, Leo Plalasi, Dylan Payne, and early enrollee true freshman Wayshawn Parker. Since the cougars are doing this on purpose, “they should let the movie do the talking,” Dickert said.
“I thought today was the perfect day for Leo to understand the urgency,” Dickert said. “He's a player that needs a little more focus on a day-to-day basis, but today you saw what he can do live. Wayshaun did some good things. And DP and Dzubenski will continue to develop.” I think we're opening up and continuing to push.
“It's going to be another good day for the Bucks and another great day for us as a football organization.”
