Football Scrimmages Thursday
4/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 9, 2009
By Ted Bryant - Media Relations Student Assistant -
The Tigers were yet again forced into Dan Devine Pavilion due to inclement weather on Thursday, but it didn't stop them from putting on a comprehensive nine-series scrimmage. Prior to the scrimmage, however, the team ran through individual position drills. Each defensive position group went through a circuit that included competitive fumble recovery drills, individual fumble recovery drills, ball stripping, and catching. The quarterbacks and running backs worked on handoffs, and the wide receivers worked on shaking off defensive backs at the line of scrimmage.
The most exciting pre-scrimmage drills today were the one-on-one lineman drills. The offensive line had to come from behind to beat the defensive line, due to fierce play from the defensive ends. Just so we're clear, the Tigers are featuring three really, really good defensive ends in their first team defense. Brian Coulter appears to be set on the left side of the line, and the Smiths (Jacquies and Aldon) are trading time on the right. Coulter simply reaches a gear not many others can and takes each rep as if victory depends on it. Jacquies Smith is simply a playmaker during scrimmages and inside run drills, and Aldon Smith never looks fatigued. On the offensive side, Austin Wuebbels is continuing to impress, beating defenders with sheer strength. This youngster looks very promising. As long as he and fellow sophomore-to-be Elvis Fisher are controlling the blind side, Tiger quarterbacks shouldn't have much to worry about.
Before I get to the highlights of the scrimmage, there are a few logistical things that readers should know. I was standing behind the offense, so when I refer to the left or right sideline it is from the offense's point-of-view. Also, the wide receivers were rotating frequently on the first and second teams, so if a receiver previously mentioned as being on the first team is playing with the second team, that is why. With that said, on to the first series:
Series 1: first team offense vs. second team defense
The offense moved down the field rather quickly. Gahn McGaffie, Rolandis Woodland, and Jon Gissinger each got some reps at receiver. Running back De'Vion Moore had a couple solid runs, using his low center of gravity to plow into defenders for an extra yard or two. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert scored from the four-yard line on a QB keeper to the right, getting a touchdown-sealing block from running back Derrick Washington on the edge.
Series 2: second offense vs. first defense
Each defensive team played mostly out of the nickel formation, with Trey Hobson coming in as the extra cornerback. Wide Receiver Forrest Shock caught a nice ball from quarterback Jimmy Costello for a first down that must have been an inch from being swatted by linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. The second series was a big one for strong safety Hardy Ricks. Ricks stopped for Shock behind the line of scrimmage on a reverse early in the series, and ended the series by lighting up running back Shawn Scott on a catch over the middle, forcing a fumble that free safety Kenji Jackson recovered.
Series 3: third offense vs. third defense
The defense got to quarterback Blaine Dalton quickly, as defensive end Mike Taylor recorded a sack on the first play and defensive tackle Bart Coslet put him into the Pavilion wall on the second. Linebacker Marlon Gilbreath nearly had an interception, as the defense would go on to win the series.
Series 4: first offense vs. second defense
Gabbert used his legs quite a bit on this series. He put a hard shoulder into cornerback Munir Prince, proving that he is unafraid of contact. Defensive tackle Dominique Hamilton managed to sack Gabbert on the next play. As the offense moved down field, tight end Andrew Jones had a nice grab over the middle before being sandwiched by linebackers Andrew Gachkar and Will Ebner. The offense would go on to settle for a 37-yard field goal, in which multiple kickers would get reps. Tanner Mills, Trey Barrow and Grant Ressel all made the kick.
Series 5: second offense vs. first defense
The defensive ends were trouble for the offense on this series, as Jacquies Smith stuffed Shawn Scott in the backfield for a loss early on. Brian Coulter got into Jimmy Costello's face quickly on the next play, forcing an errant pass that sailed over Jon Gissinger's head on the right sideline. Cornerback Carl Gettis had a nice pass breakup, coming over the top of Gissinger across the middle. Shawn Scott juked Kenji Jackson on an off-tackle to the left and scrambled for about twelve yards.
Series 6: third offense vs. third defense
Bart Coslet had a nice hurry on quarterback Ashton Glaser, whose pass was tipped and fell incomplete. This series ended early, as cornerback Kip Edwards picked off Glaser's pass in the left flat and ran it back for a touchdown that would have covered 50 yards had it come on a full-sized field.
Series 7: first offense vs. first defense
This series began with back-to-back receptions from Brandon Gerau on the left sideline. Trey Hobson nearly picked off a Gabbert pass in the right flat while covering De'Vion Moore. After a couple quick passes to keep the offense moving, Gabbert found Wes Kemp deep over the middle. Tanner Mills would go on to complete a 32-yard field goal.
Series 8: second offense vs. second defense
Jimmy Costello came out firing on this series, completing first-down passes to Rolandis Woodland and Jon Gissinger on the first two plays. After a short completion to Wes Kemp in the right flat and a heave to tight end Beau Brinkley over the middle, Grant Ressel would connect on a 29-yard field goal.
Series 9: third offense vs. third defense
Ashton Glaser led a solid final scrimmage for the third offense, completing a string of short passes to Jonnie Fields and Terry Dennis, before eventually finding a leaping Dennis down the right sideline for 19 yards. Trey Barrow would close the scrimmage with a 34-yard field goal.
The Tigers will take the field next on Friday for a short practie in helmets and shorts. After that, they will hold their second extensive spring scrimmage this Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 a.m. Be sure to check back Saturday afternoon for a full recap.
