Day 6: First Two-A-Days Offers Brief Scrimmage

Day 6: First Two-A-Days Offers Brief Scrimmage

8/11/2003

Day 6: First Two-A-Days Offers Brief Scrimmage
Johnson Likes Team’s Effort and Attitude

On campus in Nashville, Tenn. –

Starting early and finishing late, the Commodores went through five hours of practice Monday during the first of six scheduled two-a-day practices.

In both practices, Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson pushed the squad through limited full-contact sessions, including an intense six-drive segment to close the day.

The Commodores are expected to practice once Tuesday, starting at 4:15 p.m.

For the sixth consecutive day, Commodore players received a huge break with the weather. Expecting a normal warm August day in Middle Tennessee, the team was greeted by mild weather. Temperatures, which never topped 80 degrees in the morning session, dropped for the evening practice into the mid-70s after a fast-moving thunderstorm pushed through the campus earlier in the afternoon. By the end of practice Monday night, spectators were enjoying fall-like conditions.

The pleasant weather did not bother Coach Johnson. Afterward, he said it allowed his squad to maintain its focus on the task at hand.

“If it goes too hot, you end up losing practice time. Today, we were able to go through every practice period. That’s going to make us a better team,” Johnson said.

While much of the day featured team teaching periods, the practice ended with the team’s most competitive scrimmage of the preseason. Both units showed promise, though the defense started as if it would control the session.

An aggressive defense used a sack by Trey Holloway, interception by Dominique Morris and solid tackling by a linebacking corps led by Moses Osemwegie, Marty Morgan, Herdley Harrison and Otis Washington to stuff the first four offensive drives.

The offense started moving the ball behind quarterback Jay Cutler, who rushed for 16 yards on two carries and hit tailback Norval McKenzie for a 23-yard reception before connecting with receiver Marlon White for a 12-yard touchdown pass. In the final series, quarterback Steven Bright directed a 11-play, 50-yard touchdown drive. He connected twice with Dustin Dunning and once with Nick Getter before scoring on a four-yard keeper.

Johnson was pleased with the squad’s effort and aggressive style carried through two practices. “We continued to install more of the offense and defense, and we also wanted to see the guys work in some live action. As coaches, you want to see how the guys execute what we tell them to do when it means something. I was impressed with the effort and attitude. We just need to keep working on eliminating our mental errors.”

A Young Commodore Gets Practice Visit From Johnson

Through six days of preseason, 6-year-old John Matt Merritt of Nashville easily earns the award for best dressed spectator. Even Coach Johnson was impressed enough to walk over to the youngster and admire Merritt’s authentic Vanderbilt No. 88 jersey and helmet, which arrived last Christmas.

Johnson spent a few minutes talking with John Matt and his parents, Daree and Kevin Merritt, and signed the youngster’s helmet before rejoining the practice. What was John Matt’s response? “Only 19 more days to the first game,” the future Commodore tailback said.