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Day 11: Johnson Pleased With Squad’s Effort After Lengthy Scrimmage Session Saturday 8/16/2003
Day 11: Johnson Pleased With Squad’s Effort After Lengthy Scrimmage Session Saturday
On campus in Nashville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson left the John Rich Practice Facility pleased with his team’s effort after a 90-minute scrimmage Saturday afternoon. The scrimmage included 56 plays, with drives starting at midfield and both 30-yard lines. When the session ended, the offense had six scores while the Commodore defense forced a pair of turnovers and stalled nine drives. “We had a lot of guys on both sides of the line working hard today, trying to make an impression to the coaching staff. I thought we got a lot accomplished today,” Johnson said. “We still need to work to improve on our mental mistakes, but I was pleased with the effort. I think we have a team that wants to get better.” The season starts in two weeks, with the Commodores hosting Ole Miss on Saturday, August 30 in Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff is 11:30 a.m. Johnson limited action for several key players, including sophomore quarterback Jay Cutler, who watched the session next to position coach Jimmy Kiser. Sophomore tailback Kwane Doster (Tampa, Fla.) got the offense off to a fast start in the first drive. The 2002 SEC Freshman of the Year took the first play off left tackle for 20 yards, gained 15 yards after catching a pass from senior quarterback Benji Walker (Brentwood, Tenn.), then finished the drive with an explosive 23-yard carry off right tackle. Redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Bright (Greer, S.C.) directed the second scoring drive, finding sophomore receiver Erik Davis (Nashville, Tenn.) for a first down before connecting with freshman Marlon White (Macon, Ga.) for 51 yards. Junior tailback Ronald Hatcher (Birmingham, Ala.) rushed for 12 yards on two carries before Bright scored from the 1-yard line. Walker, who moments earlier had an attempt intercepted by junior cornerback Lorenzo Parker (Farmington Hills, Mich.), directed the third scoring drive. The seven-play possession featured first down passes to senior tight end Nick Getter (Round Rock, Texas) and junior receiver Chris Young (Batesville, Miss.). Junior Brandon Smith (New Orleans, La.) scored the touchdown on a four-yard reception from Walker. Junior tailback Norval McKenzie (Powder Springs, Ga.) continued his impressive comeback from a season-ending foot injury in 2002. One of his finest rushes was a 41-yard touchdown effort. The last two scores were provided by sophomore Matt Tant (Pegram, Tenn.) after a superb catch by freshman George Smith (Hollywood, Fla.) and junior receiver Marc Effren (Southbury, Conn.), who hauled in a 30-yard pass from freshman quarterback Lance Parker (Bryant, Ark.) After watching the offense score on the opening series, the team’s top defensive unit slowed the offense during the following two possession. Sophomore defensive end Jovan Haye (Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.) and pair of sophomore linebackers – Moses Osemwegie (Nashville, Tenn.) and Marty Morgan (Canton, Miss.) – provided excellent plays to stop the first possession. The Commodore secondary came up big in the following drive, with sophomore safety Andrew Pace (Birmingham, Ala.) offering a jarring tackle. Two plays later, Parker ended the drive with an interception. Later in the scrimmage, Haye and Osemwegie combined to stop another drive, with Osemwegie deflecting a pass attempt by Parker and Haye ending the possession with a sack. Several other defenders, including sophomore linebacker Herdley Harrison (Marietta, Ga.), junior tackle Matt Clay (Powder Springs, Ga.), freshman defensive end Greg Jacobs (Midlothian, Va.), sophomore safety Kelechi Ohanaja (Arlington, Texas), and sophomore tackle Ralph McKenzie (Southfield, Mich.) also contributed big plays during the scrimmage. Those Attending the Scrimmage Despite hot, humid weather, several hundred Commodore followers sat under the shade to watch the scrimmage, which was the final session of the preseason open to the public. A number of top Vanderbilt officials also attended, including Director of Athletics Todd Turner, Vice Chancellor for Student Life David Williams II, Provost Nick Zeppos and Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Michael Schoenfield. Many former Commodore players, several attending a GridIron Club function just before, also watched the festivities. |
