WSU NOTES: Defense gets back on track

Washington State linebacker Darryl Monroe jokingly says Cougar offensive players are like boastful “little brothers” who might catch a few balls during noncontact practices but get their comeuppance once full pads are donned.

This year, though, it took a couple of days for defenders to make that point.

On the second day of full-pad preseason workouts and the Cougars’ sixth day overall at Sacajawea Junior High in Lewiston on Wednesday, the D atoned for a lackluster previous day and traded blows and coups with the offense throughout the afternoon.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) was pretty bad, as far as mental mistakes and stuff,” Monroe said. “We got it cleared up and today was definitely a better day as far as making the mental corrections and the checks and all that communication that goes on before the snap.”

The sophomore middle linebacker said the Cougars are paying particular attention to “being consistent emotionally.”

“What I mean by that is, if the offense gets a big play, we don’t just walk around with our head down like we did last year, but we stay up and, ‘You know what? Next play.’ That’s been a big focus for us this year: Next play, next play.”

In 7-on-7 drills, impressive true freshman cornerback Daquawn Brown broke up two passes, while true freshman linebacker Peyton Pelluer and veteran linebacker Eric Oertel each had an interception.

The defense has been without one of its prime leaders, safety Deone Bucannon, who is suited up but mostly watching from the sideline.

The Cougars, who will remain in Lewiston through Sunday, will practice again at 3 p.m. today.