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Commodores Stage Scrimmage Tuesday 3/24/2004
Commodores Stage Scrimmage Tuesday Day 13 of Spring Practice — Three days delayed, the Commodores completed their football scrimmage Tuesday. Head Coach Bobby Johnson put the Commodores through an intense, 40-play scrimmage Tuesday evening in the John Rich Practice Facility, just days after having to cancel the Black and Gold Scrimmage after one series due to severe thunderstorms. Johnson liked what he saw from his squad, especially some of the younger Commodores, during the seven-drive scrimmage that came at the end of a 2-hour, 15-minute session. “I thought our guys were getting after it pretty good. I was pleased with the intensity, energy and focus,” Johnson said. “We also limited the time for some of our veterans to get a good look at a lot of the younger guys on this team.” Johnson expects to put the Commodores through two more sessions this week before ending spring drills. The team’s next practice is Wednesday afternoon at the Rich Practice Facility. Tuesday Scrimmage Recap The defense, led by defensive end Jovan Haye (Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), defensive tackle Robert Dinwiddie (Sr., Hendersonville, Tenn.), linebacker Moses Osemwegie (Jr., Nashville, Tenn.) and cornerback Bill Alford (Sr., Brunswick, Ga.), controlled the first three possessions Tuesday, limiting their counterparts to one first down. Quarterback Steven Bright (So., Greer, S.C.) started getting the offense untracked in the fourth series. Bright hit wide receivers Chris Young (Sr., Batesville, Miss.) and Marlon White (So., Macon, Ga.) for first-down receptions, then watched tailback Kwane Doster (Sr., Wallingford, Pa.) slowed the possession with tackles-for-loss on consecutive plays. The drive ended with an incomplete pass in the endzone. The offense had more success in the next drive. Wide receiver Lorenzo Parker (Sr., Farmington Hills, Mich.) rambled 35 yards with a short reception from Bright. Two plays later, Bright connected with wide receiver J.T. Simms (Jr., Bourne, Mass.) for a 30-yard touchdown. Quarterback Jay Cutler (Jr., Santa Claus, Ind.) directed a 30-yard touchdown drive on the following possession. Cutler hit tight end Dustin Dunning (Jr., Hoover, Ala.) for seven yards and Parker for four yards, then moved the ball to the 10-yard line on a keeper off right tackle. Following a pair of carries by Doster, Cutler found Dunning for a touchdown. The defense closed the practice with quick stops in the final two possessions, including a final-play quarterback sack by Carter. Other defenders making solid hits during the session were safety Kelechi Ohanaja (Jr., Arlington, Texas), linebacker Funtaine Hunter (So., Lowndes, Ga.), defensive tackle Trey Holloway (Jr., Edmond, Okla.) and defensive end Richard Freeman (So., Brentwood, Tenn.). Successful Surgeries A third player, offensive lineman Adam Dossett (Jr., McComb, Miss.) is expected to undergo surgery today at VUMC to repair a knee injury. Spindler will perform the procedure. Upcoming Practice Schedule Note to Commodore Fans: Though the Commodores will practice and conduct at least two more practices this spring, this release will be the final Spring Practice recap. Thank you for your interest in Vanderbilt football and Go Dores! |
