PULLMAN, Wash. — The 2009 college football season less than a month away and the Washington State Cougars wasted little time preparing themselves by opening fall camp Sunday at 9 a.m.

The Cougars kicked off the 2009 pre-season Sunday with practice at Rogers Field while Cougars freshman and transfer students reported to the Washington State campus Friday. Veteran Cougars football players reported Saturday before taking to the practice field Sunday morning for a helmets-only practice. The Cougars will continue with Helmets-only practices through today. Washington State student-athletes will wear shoulder pads for Wednesday’s workout before suiting up in full pads Thursday. Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices will be split-squad workouts with the gray team beginning at 9 a.m. and the crimson team beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Washington State will hold their first two-a-day practices Friday with the team practicing at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Cougars are scheduled to participate in five two-a-day practices as Washington State prepares for their season opener against Pac-10 rival Stanford.

The Cougars and the Cardinal are scheduled to kick off the 2009 season Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

Washington State is scheduled to wrap up their 2009 regular season Nov. 28 when they travel to Husky Stadium to take on arch rival Washington for the 96th annual Apple Cup. The Cougars have won the past two meeting between the two schools and four of five overall.

— Staff report