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247Sports

Apr 22
Julian Dugger celebrates WSU's quarterback battle
Summary
Julian Dugger says WSU's QB competition (Pinnick, Eshelman, Dugger) benefits all three; Kirby Moore will decide starter.
© Cougfan.com PULLMAN -- All three Washington State quarterbacks appear to be on the same page when it comes to the position battle to be the Cougars' starter. Caden Pinnick and Owen Eshelman both spoke to the media in previous days of spring football and emphasized how much the competition isn't turning nasty or bitter, and after practice on Tuesday, Julian Dugger echoed that it's three guys competing hard for the same shared goal. "Competition always makes people better," Dugger said. "And those are two great guys just to be around. In a film room, in meetings, just making each other better. Just being around them is always a great time. Just try to compete every day, and it's making all three of us better." Because while only one QB can start, it's all with the shared goal of helping the team win games. And whoever Kirby Moore ultimately decides will start, is the person he entrusts most to help Wazzu achieve that goal. "As a team, we've been growing consistently through spring ball," Dugger said. "It's really about reps. So getting those reps with the guys in the offense, you can see us growing every day. So that's what it's all about in the spring, is getting these reps. We have a new coaching staff. I feel like we've really been growing." The 6-3, 202-pound third-year from Pittsburgh this past season completed two passes for 39 yards, both in the bowl game win. He carried 22 times for 47 yards including a 34-yard touchdown run in the bowl, and he even caught a pass for eight yards at Virginia. He's shown some good things in spring ball, although the accuracy can be erratic at times and he has struggled to pick up blitzes, sometimes leading to what would be sacks if contact on the quarterbacks was live through spring ball. But he also doesn't get a ton of opportunities to show off his legs in spring drills, one of his best attributes as a dual-threat option. Related: Breaking down WSU QB battle with spring ball entering final week DUGGER ON WHAT HE'S BEEN WORKING ON THE MOST IN THE SPRING: "I'll say my pre-snap process. Just knowing what I'm doing, seeing the defense and completing the pass." DUGGER ON WHY HE WANTED TO RETURN: "I just love Pullman. I never wanted to leave. When you don't want to leave somewhere, it's not that hard to re-sign. So that's what played the biggest factor in it. I just want to be in Pullman. And I love the Cougs." DUGGER ON THE BIGGEST THING HE'S LEARNED FROM OC MATT MILLER SO FAR: "Don't force the ball downfield. Take your completions. If it's a check down, then take it." Julian Dugger (Photo: Cougfan.com/Whittney Thornton)

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Teams: Washington State

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