Washington State’s defense closed fall camp with a clear statement Friday, and Trent Bray had plenty to like.
Across 19 drives in the final scrimmage, the Cougars gave up only two touchdowns and one field goal. Even with many of Bray’s top defenders limited to a drive or two, the backups and younger players turned the day into a showcase for depth.
“ Kayo (Patu) did a nice job out at corner," Bray said. "I think those freshmen safeties operated well.
There weren't any busts down the field with them. It was great to see Lance (McGee) out there again.
He looked like he was comfortable in the defense without having really practiced much. So there was a lot of good stuff like that."
Patu, a third-year player from Sacramento, has bounced around the secondary during his WSU career. He started at nickel, moved to free safety last year and is now settled at cornerback. He made the most of the scrimmage with a pass breakup and a tackle for loss.
The freshman safety group Bray singled out included Chris Perry Jr., Kenny Miller-Terry and Bryson Flynn. Miller-Terry came up with an interception after tipping a Caden Pinnick pass, while Flynn later broke up another Pinnick throw.
McGee also stood out simply by being back on the field. The 6-0, 218-pound freshman from Yakima missed much of fall camp because of injury, but he was active in the scrimmage and recorded a tackle on a Jay Porter reception.
The purpose of the scrimmage, Bray said, was to see how the next wave handled real action. Most of the first-string defense was capped at two drives, though there was still some rotation along the defensive line.
"We had a lot of guys playing," Bray said. "A lot of guys that are kind of on that bubble, next guy up, see how they can function, how they can operate in a live situation. The energy was great, physicality was where we needed it, and they flew around, so I was happy with it."
Bray said the defense’s four takeaways came from the kind of effort he wants to see every day.
"That's effort. I think when you're running to the ball and you're flying around, those tips, those overthrows, you can take advantage of those things. And that's what we saw today."
He added that the turnovers were no accident.
"It's by design. And the fact that they're where they're supposed to be from a coverage standpoint.
So there's always someone underneath, someone on top and then running to the ball. And that creates those opportunities when that ball does get tipped up in the air."
For Bray, the final message from camp was as much about focus as it was about results.
"It's credit to them staying focused. Because fall camp can get long.
These days can get long. They've stayed focused on their responsibilities, their jobs, their communication.
So it's a testament to how well they've stayed locked in."
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