PULLMAN, Wash. (April 15, 2023) — Washington State Football held its second scrimmage of the spring Saturday morning at Gesa Field, with both the offense and defense taking turns finding success.
Early on it was the defense that held court, stopping the offense on each of its first four possessions, including three-and-outs on two of those. Redshirt-junior kicker Dean Janikowski opened the scoring as he connected on a 33-yard field goal.
That seemed to spark the offense as on the next possession, redshirt-freshman running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker scored the first of his three touchdowns Saturday on a 1-yard plunge into the end zone. Senior kicker Colton Theaker put through a 40-yard field goal followed by a 12-yard scoring pass from junior quarterback Cameron Ward to redshirt-junior receiver Josh Kelly. Schlenbaker capped off the next series with a four-yard scoring burst.
Later in the scrimmage, redshirt-freshman quarterback John Mateer found senior receiver Lincoln Victor on a 69-yard scoring pass while Mateer also went big to redshirt-sophomore receiver Tsion Nunnally on the next possession, connecting on a 72-yard play down to the three-yard-line.
Schlenbaker added another two-yard scoring run while late in the scrimmage redshirt-sophomore quarterback Luke Holcomb connected on a 10-yard scoring pass to Leon Neal Jr. followed by a 3-yard scoring strike to Tre Horner. Both of those scores came in red zone situations.
It wasn’t all offense on the day as the Cougar defense certainly had its moments. The defense repeatedly was in the backfield, recording at least five sacks on the afternoon. Additionally, the defense batted down multiple passes and three times ended drives by way of interceptions, courtesy of redshirt-freshman defensive back Reece Sylvester, redshirt-freshman linebacker Hudson Cedarland and redshirt-sophomore linebacker Joseph Roback.
On the day, Mateer threw for more than 240 yards and a score while Ward was 10-of-15 for 60 yards and a score. Nunnally had a big day receiving, catching four passes for 148 yards while Victor had four catches for 92 yards and the score.
The Cougars resume spring practice Tuesday morning on Rogers Field. WSU’s annual Crimson and Gray Game will be held next Saturday at 3 p.m. from Gesa Field.
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