Cougars show progress

PULLMAN - The Washington State football team held its second scrimmage of spring practice Saturday at Martin Stadium, and after an improved performance by both the offense and defense, WSU coach Paul Wulff was impressed with his team's progression.

"From a teaching perspective we cleaned a lot of things up," Wulff said. "I think our line play is getting more and more physical, which has obviously been needed. We are more physical and playing better football (on both sides of the ball)."

Quarterbacks Marshall Lobbestael and Jeff Tuel combined to complete 15 of 23 passes for 155 yards, and each threw a touchdown pass. Lobbestael went 8 of 11 for 71 yards during the scrimmage, and found wide receiver Jared Karstetter in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. Tuel completed 7 of 12 for 84 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown to wide receiver Gino Simone.

Nine different Cougars caught passes, with fullback Jared Byers and running back Leon Brooks leading the team with three apiece. Simone led the team with 34 receiving yards on two receptions.

Running back Logwone Mitz ran the ball 16 times during the scrimmage, picking up 64 yards and a touchdown. His three-yard score capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive for the first-team offense. Brooks also rushed eight times for the Cougars.

"We wanted to challenge those guys," Wulff said. "We would like to see some guys carry the ball 15-20 times in a scrimmage and see how they handle that. There is no question Logwone needs that, we need to find out if he is a Pac-10 player. He showed flashes again today, I really liked how he ran. I'd like to see him carry 15-20 times a game and do it every Saturday in the season."

The Cougar offense wasn't alone in its scoring, as defensive end Travis Long picked up a fumble forced by fellow defensive end Kevin Kooyman, and ran it back 40 yards for a touchdown.

Cornerback Daniel Simmons had the lone interception of the afternoon for the Cougar defense.

WSU continues its spring practice schedule Tuesday at 3:40 p.m., and will hold its final scrimmage April 24. The Cougars' spring game will be at Martin Stadium at 5:30 p.m.

RUSHING - Logwone Mitz 16-64, Leon Brooks 8-0, Jeff Tuel 1-2.

PASSING - Jeff Tuel - 7-12-1-84, Marshall Lobbestael 8-11-1-71, David Gilbertson 1-4-0-5.

RECEIVING - Jared Byers 3-23, Leon Brooks 3-21, Gino Simone 2-34, Jared Karstetter 2-27, Logwone Mitz 2-16, Daniel Blackledge 1-16, Jeffrey Solomon 1-13, Andrei Lintz 1-6, Esa Johnwell 1-4.