Â
PULLMAN, Wash. -Â The Washington State University football team will begin its spring practice schedule, Thursday, March 23, the first of 15 practice dates that conclude April 25. The annual Crimson and Gray Game will be April 22 at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane at 2 p.m. and televised by the Pac-12 Networks.
This spring marks the sixth under head coach
Mike Leach as the Cougars return 44 lettermen from last season's Holiday Bowl team, 20 on offense, 23 on the defense and one on special teams.
Offensively, the Cougars return seven starters from 2016, including 2016 All-Pac-12 performers
Luke Falk,
Jamal Morrow,
Cole Madison, as well as unanimous All-American
Cody O'Connell, just the second in school history. The Cougars led the Pac-12 in passing offense (362.5 ypg, third nationally), completion percentage (.703, second nationally) and first downs (340, seventh nationally). WSU also returns the entire running back group, which combined for 1,660 rushing yards, 1,034 receiving yards and 31 total touchdowns, one of only four schools nationally to have to have both 1,000-plus rushing and receiving yards.
Defensively, WSU begins its third season under defensive coordinator
Alex Grinch. Last season the Cougar defense allowed 26.4 ppg and 405.9 ypg, both marked improvements over 2015. The Cougars' rushing defense finished third in the Pac-12 at 134.2 ypg, the fewest yards allowed by WSU since 2006. WSU's turnover margin took another jump, improving from -1.42 in 2014 to -0.08 in 2015 to +0.46 last season.
Â
The Cougars will practice Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Martin Stadium and Rogers Field with the Crimson and Gray Game set for Saturday, April 22 at Joe Albi Stadium.Â
Â
2017 Washington State Football Spring Practice Schedule:
Day                 Date                       Time
Thursday            March 23                      2:30 p.m.
Saturday            March 25                      TBA
Tuesday             March 28                      2:30 p.m.
Thursday            March 30                      2:30 p.m.
Saturday            April 1                            TBA
Tuesday             April 4                            2:30 p.m.
Thursday            April 6                            2:30 p.m.
Saturday            April 8                            TBA
Tuesday             April 11                          2:30 p.m.
Thursday            April 13                          2:30 p.m.
Saturday            April 15                          TBA
Tuesday             April 18                          2:30 p.m.
Thursday            April 20                          2:30 p.m.
Saturday            April 22                          2 p.m.*
Tuesday             April 25                          2:30 p.m.
Â
*Crimson & Gray Game (Joe Albi Stadium – Spokane, Wash.)