Defense has its day for Cougars at scrimmage

PULLMAN - A week after the Washington State offense dominated the first spring scrimmage, it was the Cougar defense that highlighted the second spring scrimmage held at Martin Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The defense opened the day by forcing four straight three-and-outs and finished the afternoon with four sacks, a forced fumble, a blocked field goal and a pair of interceptions.

Quarterback Jeff Tuel highlighted the offense, going 9 of 14 for 113 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown pass to Marquess Wilson down the left sideline to cap a nine-play, 70-yard drive. Logwone Mitz and Leon Brooks added touchdown runs for the offense later in the day.

The Cougar defense regrouped after allowing the touchdown pass, forcing turnovers on the next three series following the Wilson score.

Anthony Martinez forced a fumble with a bit hit on Isiah Myers and Darren Markle made the recovery for the first turnover of the afternoon.

The next series saw Justin Aire make a diving interception in the back of the end zone before Tyrone Duckett picked off a David Gilbertson pass on the ensuing series to cap the defenses' impressive performance. Alex Hoffman-Ellis also later blocked a field goal attempt.

"I thought our defense played hard, played fast, and really set the tone for the day by getting stops on the first four series," WSU coach Paul Wulff said. "Jeff (Tuel) then threw a great ball to Marquess (Wilson) for the score but the defense regrouped and came back and made more plays."

Brooks finished the day with 10 carries for 21 yards and a touchdown while Mitz had seven carries and a score. Quarterback Connor Halliday went 6 for 7 for 49 yards while Wilson finished with pair of catches for 58 yards and touchdown. Myers finished with five catches for 42 yards.

The Cougars will wrap up their final week of spring drills with practices at Rogers Field at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday before closing out the spring with a scrimmage at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane next Saturday at 3 p.m. Admission to the game will be free.

Prior to the scrimmage, WSU will be hosting a Fan Fest Tailgate beginning at 1 p.m. The Fan Fest includes an autograph session with Cougar players, inflatable games for kids, food vendors and a beer garden.

SCORING PLAYS

Marquess Wilson 35 pass from Jeff Tuel (Andrew Furney kick)

Logwone Mitz 2 run (no PAT attempted)

Leon Brooks 1 run (no PAT attempted)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING - Galvin 4-17, Fields 2-1, Brooks 10-21, Mitz 7-8, Gilbertson 1-4, Eaddy 1-5.

PASSING - Tuel 9-14-1-13, Lobbestael 3-4-0-22, Halliday 6-7-0-49, Gilbertson 1-3-1-11.

RECEIVING - Wilson 2-58, Galvin 2-2, Barton 3-15, Mitz 1-26, Lintz 2-29, Bontemps 1-11, Eaddy 2-16, Myers 5-42, Brooks 1-5.