PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State got its first taste of live football Saturday, giving coaches a closer look at a team still taking shape with three weeks until the season opener.
The Cougars went through 76 live plays in their first scrimmage of fall camp, and both sides of the ball had their moments.
For offensive coordinator Matt Miller, the biggest takeaway was the continued development of an offense trying to establish its identity.
“I think we’re starting to really feel that identity start to form,” Miller said. “That toughness, that physicality, it always gonna start up front with those offensive linemen. And I think it’s starting to get developed outside of those offensive linemen.”
Miller also evaluated all three quarterbacks, with Caden Pinnick, Julian Dugger and Owen Eshelman continuing to compete for the starting job.
He said each made plays, but each also left opportunities on the field.
“We got things that we need to correct,” Miller said.
Head coach Kirby Moore said the staff still needs to review the film before deciding whether to narrow the competition.
“It’s probably too early to say. I really need to watch the film and see,” Moore said.
While the quarterback race remains unsettled, Miller said the three have maintained a strong relationship throughout the competition.
“They’re really good close friends,” Miller said. “They get along, they help each other out.”
On the other side, defensive coordinator Trent Bray liked what he saw from a defense that has continued to make strides throughout camp.
The Cougars held the offense to field goals on several drives and created a turnover during the scrimmage.
Bray said the defense is ahead of where it was at the beginning of camp.
“They flew around. They hit. They ran to the ball,” Bray said. “So all those things that lead the great defense are there, and we just got to keep getting better each day.”
Bray believes the defense is also beginning to develop an identity of its own.
“I think the identity that we play fast and physical, I think that showed up a ton,” Bray said.
There is still plenty to clean up.
Washington State was flagged roughly a dozen times during the scrimmage, something Moore said the team will address when it reviews the film.
But with the first scrimmage in the books, the coaching staff has a better idea of where the Cougars stand — and what needs to improve before the season begins.
“We’ve got to push through,” Moore said. “We are getting towards the end of camp right here.”
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