VIDEO: WSU Cougars Begin Spring Practice

The Washington State University football team began its spring practice schedule, Thursday, March 21, the first of 15 practice dates that conclude April 23. The annual Crimson and Gray Game will be held April 20 at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane at 2 p.m. and will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks.

VIDEO: WSU Cougars Begin Spring Practice

In addition to the spring practice schedule, WSU Athletics will again host a series of events in Spokane leading up to the Crimson and Gray Game. Spokane Week, as it has come to be known, will include the Cougar Club coaches luncheon, a pair of events at Northern Quest Resort & Casino featuring Cougar greats from the past, the Cougar baseball game at Gonzaga (April 16) and much more. A complete Spokane Week schedule of events will be released in the near future.

Under second-year head coach Mike Leach, WSU enters spring ball with 43 returning lettermen from last year’s squad, which ended the 2012 campaign with a 31-28 overtime victory against Washington in the Apple Cup.

Offensively, the Cougars return eight starters from last season including All-Pac-12 honorable mention selections, center Elliott Bosch and wide receiver Brett Bartolone. Four starters off the offensive line return along with all four wideouts who started the Apple Cup.

Defensively, WSU returns eight starters from the 2012 team that finished the season No. 11 in the country in sacks per game and saw All-Pac-12 second team safety Deone Bucannon post the first 100-tackle season since 2006. Defensive lineman Xavier Cooper and linebackers Cyrus Coen and Darryl Monroe all return after earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades last season.

The Cougars will practice Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Martin Stadium and Rogers Field with the Crimson and Gray Game set for Saturday, April 20 at Joe Albi Stadium.