Tuel throws two TDs in WSU scrimmage

PULLMAN - The Washington State football team worked out in full pads for the first time this spring and capped the workout with a scrimmage in Martin Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Cougars worked out on Rogers Field for the first hour of practice then headed down to the stadium where they worked through some 7-vs.-7 and kickoff coverage before scrimmaging for just over an hour in front of a couple hundred fans.

Quarterback Jeff Tuel saw a majority of the reps, going 11 of 17 for 95 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. David Gilbertson operated the number two offense and went 5 of 8 for 52 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Tuel completed passes to a number of different receivers, finding Blair Bomber for a 14-yard catch before capping the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kristoff Williams. Cornerback Tracy Clark later picked off a Tuel pass on the next series as Tuel tried to find Marquess Wilson along the left side but Clark broke up the pass and corralled the deflection. A couple series later, linebacker Eric Oertel jumped a route to intercept a Tuel swing pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Tuel later found Andrei Lintz for a 13-yard gain and capped his day with a touchdown pass to Bennett Bontemps who turned up field and lowered his shoulder to sneak into the left corner of the end zone for a 12-yard score.

Gilbertson found newcomer Drew Loftus for a 28-yard catch for the longest play of the scrimmage. Cornerback Daniel Simmons later picked off Gilbertson as he broke up the pass and corralled the ball after it bounced off a couple other defenders' hands.

Gilbertson finished the day with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Gino Simone in the back right corner of the end zone.

Marcus Mason led the running backs with three carries for 19 yards.

The Cougars continue spring drills Tuesday at 3:10 p.m. at Rogers Field.

SCORING

K. Williams 2 pass from Tuel

Bontemps 12 pass from Tuel

Simone 6 pass from Gilbertson

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Marcus Mason 3-19, Teondray Caldwell 3-1, Leon Brooks 1-0, Jeff Tuel 1-8, Carl Winston 1-5.

PASSING - Jeff Tuel 11-17-2-95 yards, David Gilbertson 5-8-1-52.

RECEIVING - Andrei Lintz 2-20, Carl Winston 1-9, Drew Loftus 2-30, Blair Bomber 2-22, Kristoff Williams 2-10, Leon Brooks 2-12, Bobby Ratliff 1-9, Bennett Bontemps 2-22, Teondray Caldwell 1-2, Gino Simone 2-11.