Wind-blown Cougs get high marks from Wulff

PULLMAN - There's nothing like a couple of red-zone interceptions, amid a chilly Palouse wind, to leave offensive players a bit down in the mouth.

But their coach didn't have that problem Saturday after Washington State's first spring football scrimmage.

"Probably the most quality scrimmage since we've been here, in terms of depth on both sides of the line," Paul Wulff said. "We could function. It was crisp."

In other words, Wulff is starting to replenish a roster that, in terms of Pac-10 talent, has wavered between thin and skeletal during his first two years on the job.

The weather was challenging and the execution sporadic, but at least the Cougars knew the formations, the plays, the assignments, and appeared blithely unburdened by their combined 3-22 record of the past two seasons.

"I think our intensity level was solid for the whole practice," said Wulff, who had been equally impressed with the Cougars' previous workout Thursday. "That's the first time we've put back-to-back quality practices together. It's a good feeling."

The offense, focusing almost solely on the running game and short passes, moved the ball adequately in the highly controlled scrimmage, but was left lamenting two interceptions deep in opposing territory - one each by Jeff Tuel and Marshall Lobbestael.

"I feel working up to this point we performed better during the week," said tailback Chantz Staden, who rushed for 68 yards. "We weren't terrible, but I think definitely we weren't where we could be."

Staden, who redshirted last year with a knee injury, ran with Tuel's No. 1 offense after Marcus Richmond, who had rushed for 61 yards, suffered what appeared to be an MCL sprain that may sideline him for the rest of the spring. Also out among the RBs were Logwone Mitz (concussion) and Carl Winston (toe).

The defense was less dominant than eye-catching. Tyree Toomer, another 2009 injury victim, made a leaping interception to provide the day's highlight, and Aire Justin held his ground to swipe an end-zone fade intended for Jared Karstetter. Earlier, freshman defensive end Sekope Kaufusi made a tackle for a safety (in a situational drill) and recovered a handoff fumble by Tuel and Richmond.

"We've got to grow up still in our passing game," Wulff said. "It was kind of a cold, windy day, and we didn't handle it as well as we'd like to."

Tuel, the likely starting quarterback as a sophomore, passed 7-for-13 for 84 yards, and Lobbestael was 5-for-10 for 67. Gino Simone scored on a screen-pass reception, and tight end Skylar Stormo caught an end-zone pass deflected by a defender.

The scrimmage, announced by Wulff on Thursday, replaces one that had been scheduled for April 17. Another scrimmage is set for Saturday.

TURPIN EXPELLED - Defensive tackle Toby Turpin, who started six games last season, has been dismissed from the school by the student-conduct board, the Cougars announced Saturday. It was apparently a case of academic misconduct.

"It's unfortunate for him and us," Wulff said, "but it's the consequences that happen to you when you don't do the right things."

Turpin, who would have been a senior this season, finishes his WSU career with 52 tackles and 10 starts, returning an interception 30 yards against USC in 2007.

JC-BOLSTERED LINES - The Cougars' defensive line is noticeably stronger with the addition of 6-foot-5 tackle Brandon Rankin, the national junior-college Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. And two other good-sized JC transfers, Wade Jacobson (6-6, 307) and David Gonzalez (6-6, 281), served as bookends on the offensive line Saturday.

"They came in ready," safety Chima Nwachukwu said of the transfers. "Rankin is a really good player. They're having a big influence on our team."

On the O-line, Zack Williams is out a couple of weeks with a shoulder sprain, and Steven Ayers was shelved Saturday with a concussion.

Rushing - Chantz Staden 15-68, Marcus Richmond 6-61, Leon Brooks 11-20.

Passing - Jeff Tuel 7-13-1-84, Marshall Lobbestael 5-10-1-67.

Receiving - Gino Simone 3-63, Skylar Stormo 3-37, Esa Johnwell 1-22, Daniel Blackledge 1-14, Jared Karstetter 1-7, Marcus Richmond 1-5, Leon Brooks 1-3, Chantz Staden 1-0.

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Grummert may be contacted at daleg@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2290.