Cougars to emphasize the run this season?

  • By Jacob Thorpe The Spokesman-Review
  • Thursday, August 27, 2015 9:24pm
  • SportsSports

PULLMAN — Washington State’s running backs would not do well to be greedy this season, although the prize they share is not as small as commonly thought.

Last season, the running backs touched the ball during about 40 percent of WSU’s offensive plays and that number is expected go grow significantly in 2015. The Cougars have been running the ball in practice more than at any other time during Mike Leach’s tenure and offensive plays spent out of shotgun in a more traditional look seem a nod toward a renewed emphasis on the ground game.

Gerard Wicks, Jamal Morrow and Keith Harrington will each get their turn in WSU’s offensive backfield, so none are likely to turn in a 1,000-yard rushing season. Any of the three was likely to turn in the best performance during a given day of preseason camp.

Such parity makes it tough for the coaches to know who will have the hot hand, but they’ll gladly trade that for the aspects of competition it brews.

“It’s sort of like a chain reaction,” Wicks said. “When Keith makes a long run, I make a long run. Kind of like an anything you can do, I can do better, kind of thing.”

Wicks is the strongest of the three and has a physical running style that can bruise defenses that will frequently use smaller, quicker players to defend WSU’s numerous receivers. Morrow was WSU’s fourth-leading receiver last season and Harrington was originally recruited to catch passes.

Harrington redshirted last season, while Morrow and Wicks split the bulk of the carries despite being only redshirt freshmen themselves.

“People don’t realize those two were freshmen last year,” said running backs coach Jim Mastro. “In this conference that’s tough cooking.”

Rather than celebrate their unique talents, however, Mastro would rather the backs improve the weak parts of their particular games in order to become similar players. Much of the reason for that is WSU’s offensive style, in which the quarterback declares a running play at the line of scrimmage, so it would be impossible (and a tip to the defense) to substitute based on an individual situation.

The Cougars frequently have two running backs on the field at the same time, and either one could be blocking for the other depending on what play the quarterback checks into.

Blocking, in particular, is an area in which the returning backs hope to show growth.

“We definitely improved in pass-protection and run blocking,” Morrow said. “We’re trying to not be selfish but to help the other running backs out. If I’m blocking, I want Gerard to get a big run in.”

Freshman James Williams provides a fourth option, although Mastro admits he would prefer to redshirt the newcomer, who sustained a season-ending leg injury his senior year of high school.

But if Williams is good enough to play, he will, and indications from the preseason scrimmages and practices are that he is at least good enough to force the established trio to keep improving or risk having the rushes and receptions divvied up even further.

“That’s what you want to get your program to in recruiting is that level where it’s competition every day in practice,” Mastro said. “We have that now, we have three guys, James Williams is a fourth guy, that you have competition every day. And that’s going to make them better and make our team better.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.