Bye Week Blues: Washington State Anxious To Play Again - SWX Right Now-Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA

Most people would love to have a week off of work. But not the Washington State football team.

The Cougars are on a bye week after a solid 2-1 start that includes last week's disappointing loss to San Diego State. It is that loss that has the Cougars wishing they could get back on the field sooner rather than later.

"I want to get back," said an eager Marshall Lobbestael. "It's kind of tough because I want to get back to work and prepare for a team this Saturday. But we just have to come back and have a good week of practice this week and another good week next week, and just get ready for Colorado."

"Knowing that we lost that game [against San Diego State], it just means we're out here practicing for a week without even playing against someone. We're hungry to play another game and come out with a victory."

As SWX reported earlier this week, quarterback Jeff Tuel has been allowed to return to practice and throw a football, but he is limited as to what he can do with his left shoulder.

Also noticeable this week is the level of intensity of the Cougars' practices. It may be a bye week, but coaches are turning up the heat on the players, reportedly to better prepare them for those intense situations at the end of close games – games like last week's.

The team will have Friday and Saturday off and will return to practice on Sunday.