Cougar Chalk Talk: Finding and fixing issues with the Cougar defense

PULLMAN, Wash. - The loss against Boise State was eye-opening for Washington State.

Heading into the bye-week, head coach Jake Dickert had a long list of things he wanted to address, but picking the number one priority wasn't a hard choice for the former defensive coordinator.

"So easy. Defensive communication. We cannot be on the field and not communicate with each other," Dickert said.

The players agreed. The lack of communication two Saturdays ago was one of their biggest downfalls.

"We had a few communication errors in that Boise game that led to some big plays but we're focused on that during the bye week and during this week and we're going to get that cleaned up for Fresno," said edge Andrew Edson.

Edson said the key to success is to speak up in practice, get the calls out quick, and to practice consistent communication.

But Dickert said there were more layers to the failed defensive performance against Boise State, and that it was time to get back to the basics.

"It was technique, it was finish and it was a little bit of effort which is extremely disappointing."

Through five games, WSU has only recorded five sacks and that's too low of a number for Dickert.

"We have to be able to get after the quarterback," Dickert said.

After ten days of preparation, Coach Dickert said the Cougs are re-energized and ready to play some of their best football yet.

"I'd be probably lying if I didn't say we don't have a bad taste in our mouth and want to get back out there and show the team that we know that we can be."

Kickoff against Fresno State is Saturday at 4 p.m.

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.