WSU Football | Consistency needed, especially by receivers, coach says

PULLMAN — Ready or not, the season starts in one week for Washington State and first-year coach Paul Wulff.

Following the team's final scrimmage Friday afternoon in Martin Stadium, Wulff admitted the Cougars still have a few questions to answer — that new spread offense included.

"There was some good and some bad," Wulff said of the scrimmage. "It feels like I've said that all camp. So we've got one week to get ourselves better, and make it a consistent good."

Quarterback Gary Rogers and the passing game had a hot-and-cold day, with three drives resulting in interceptions. Wulff attributed much of that too "sloppy route running" and reiterated a nagging theme in camp — the team needs more consistency at wide receiver.

Two projected starters, Jeshua Anderson and Daniel Blackledge, have been sidelined most of camp. Anderson is still about a month away from returning, and Blackledge's status for the season opener next Saturday versus Oklahoma State is still "iffy."

Rogers finished the scrimmage in the two-minute drill offense, going 6 of 6 for 65 yards and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Gibson.

"There were a couple of mistakes," Wulff said. "But he finished up nice in the two-minute drill."

Wulff said freshman wide receivers Jared Karstetter and Kevin Norrell will both see playing time this season. Karstetter, a graduate of Spokane's Ferris High, may even start the opener.

"We're thin at the position," Wulff said. "But even if we were healthy, Karstetter would still be playing.

"He's capable and he keeps getting better."

Kicking themselves

The team is still no closer to selecting a kicker after another erratic outing by the three vying for the job.

Wade Penner, Nico Grasu and Patrick Rooney combined to go 7 of 18 on field-goal attempts, with Grasu setting the mark at 3 of 6.

"If we can't start getting some consistency there, we're going to have to go for it on fourth down a lot," Wulff said. He even quipped he was most likely to be the kicker.

The 18 attempts ranged between 37 and 46 yards.

Notes

• In addition to Karstetter and Norrell, Wulff said LB Mike Ledgerwood is a freshman that will see playing time this season.

• Many students showed up to the scrimmage wearing a T-shirt that read, "Beware of the Wulff." They were being handed out at the annual "All Campus Pic-Nic" at the field adjacent to Martin Stadium.

• DT Andy Roof played in the morning practice after missing the past few days with a sprained left ankle.

• S Easton Johnson hauled in two interceptions in the scrimmage.