By Theo Lawson

The Spokesman-Review

A daily fall practice update from The Spokesman-Review’s Washington State beat writer, Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson—SR). We set the scene, list the day’s important notes, highlight one big play, pick the standouts and slip-ups, track the quarterback race and dissect one talking point from post-practice interviews.

Setting the scene

Where: Sacajawea Middle School in Lewiston

Start/finish: 2 p.m./5 p.m.

Temperature: 98 degrees, clear

Attire: Helmets and shoulder pads

Notable

* The first day of padded practice always seems to produce a few small scuffles between offensive and defensive players. There wasn’t much of that during a competitive team period, aside from a small pushing match between receiver Brandon Arconado and defensive lineman Tristan Brock, who apparently are rooming together in Lewiston.

* The introduction of shoulder pads also means the introduction of “bull in the ring,” which the Cougars hold at the start of practice, and the “make or miss” or “avoid drill” held at the tail end. In “make or miss,” the offensive player is stationed behind one tackling dummy with the ball in hand and the defensive player behind another about 10 yards away. The wall of players surrounding the drill made it hard to tell who the defensive player was, but running back Jouvensly Bazil side-stepped his challenger on the final rep, which instantly brought his offensive teammates to life. A look at the “avoid drill” below.