FB: Hilinski, Dimry shine for Cougs offense in spring's first scrimmage
Enjoying extensive playing time, redshirt sophomore quarterback Tyler Hilinski threw four touchdown passes to lead the Washington State offense, while fifth-year senior Isaac Dotson collected a pair of sacks to spark the defense in WSU’s first spring scrimmage on Saturday at Martin Stadium.
Hilinski opened the scrimmage with a pair of touchdown throws, the first coming on a 24-yard strike to redshirt freshman Renard Bell, who just snuck in over the left side of the end zone.
A couple plays later, Hilinski found junior Tavares Martin Jr. in the back of the end zone for an eight-yard score.
The Cougar rushing attack got going with Luke Falk at quarterback during the next two series. Redshirt sophomore James Williams burst throw a hole on the left side and raced 30 yards untouched for a score before redshirt-senior Jamal Morrow scored on a 20-yard carry up the middle.
“Overall, a lot of guys did some good things,” Falk said. “It was back and forth between the defense and offense, and that’s how scrimmage should be. Overall, it was a pretty good day for the team. This was a game-like as you’re going to get in the spring. You just want to see if guys will transition from what they’re doing in practice. A lot of guys did. We have to tighten some things up.”
Falk, the presumptive starting quarterback and a likely preseason contender for Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, took snaps with both the first and second team offenses on Saturday, completing 9-of-21 passes for 97 yards.
“He should be consistent and have pretty good tempo and bring energy,” Leach said.
Fifth-year senior C.J. Dimry led all receivers with five receptions for 84 yards.
“He’s improved a lot since last year,” Leach said. “He did some good things today.”
The defense dialed up the pressure midway through the scrimmage as redshirt juniors Kington Fernandez and Hercules Mata’afa each recorded sacks.
Two veterans produced big plays later in the day as senior safety Robert Taylor delivered a big hit over the middle to break up a pass and redshirt senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer later forced and recovered a fumble.
Leach was pleased with how WSU’s first team defense performed in the scrimmage.
“They ran around very well,” Leach said. “The offense sometimes let the defense off the hook, but they did some good things.”
Redshirt freshman linebacker Justus Rogers made a couple big plays as well, first recording a sack before dropping back in coverage to pick off a pass for the day’s only interception.
The Air Raid got going in the final couple series as Hilinski found redshirt senior C.J. Dimry in the back of the end zone. Dimry reached up and snagged a pass with his left hand for a five-yard touchdown. He later finished the day with another impressive play, catching a pass downfield before plowing through two defenders near the goal line for a 31-yard touchdown.
The Cougar defense tallied nine sacks on the day, two from redshirt junior defensive lineman Nick Begg to join Dotson, while junior defensive back Sean Harper and Rogers led the way with five tackles each.
The Cougars continue spring practice Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. PT.
NOTES:
-- Leach said the WSU offensive line, looking to fill two starting spots, must be more consistent but has made progress. One essential area requiring additional consistency – shotgun snaps.
-- Wide receiver Kyrin Priester, still trying to catch up academically, had two receptions for 31 yards. “He’s done pretty well, but he has dealt with some academic stuff,” Leach said. “So, he hasn’t been here the whole time. He’s been pretty steady. He’s working on (the academics).”
-- Leach was pleased with how James Williams ran with the football, but he was also plagued with multiple stops. “James did not play as good as he can overall,” Leach said. “He had been consistent. But he turned the ball over and dropped balls. We’ll look at the film and see how he blocked.”
-- Leach said several young players are “emerging” in the secondary.
SCRIMMAGE STATISTICS
PASSING: Luke Falk, 9-21-97 yds; Tyler Hilinski, 16-24-203 yds, 4 TD; Anthony Gordon, 7-10-60 yds, 1 INT; Trey Tinsley. 5-6-60 yds. TOTALS: 36-60-420 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT.
RECEIVING: C.J. Dimry, 5-84 (2 TD); Robert Lewis, 4-56; Kyle Sweet 4-52, Isaiah Johnson-Mack 3-24; Grant Porter 3-14; Easop Winston 3-32; Jamal Morrow 3-15; Brandon Arconado 2-47; Kyrin Priester 2-31; Tavares Martin Jr. 2-11; Renard Bell 1-24; Anthony White Jr. 1-14; James Williams 1-10; Riley Krenz 1-4; Dezmon Patmon 1-2. TOTALS: 36-420-4.
RUSHING: Jamal Morrow, 4-43 (1 TD); James Williams 3-41 (1 TDS); Keith Harrington 3-16; Tyler Hilinski 1-5; Trey Tinsley 1-1. TOTALS: 12-106 (3 TD).
FIELD GOALS
Erik Powell – 27 (Miss), 32 (Miss), 38 (Good), 42 (Good)
Jack Crane – 27 (Miss), 32 (Miss), 37 (Good)
SCORING SUMMARY
Bell 24 yd pass from Hilinski
Martin 8 yd pass fromHilinski
Williams 30 yd run
Morrow 20 yd run
Dimry 5 yd pass from Hilinski
Tinsley 1 yd run
Dimry 31 yd pass from Hilinski
REMAINING SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Practice #9: Tue., April 11, 2:30 p.m.
Practice #10: Thu., April 13, 2:30 p.m.
Practice #11: Sat., April 15, TBA
Practice #12: Tue., April 18, 2:30 p.m.
Practice #13: Thu., April 20, 2:30 p.m.
Spring Game: Sat, April 22, 2 p.m. (Spokane)
Practice #15: Tue., April 25, 2:30 p.m.
(Schedule Subject To Change)
