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Intensity Rises In Closing Minutes of Friday Practice 2/27/2004
Intensity Rises In Closing Minutes of Friday Practice Friday, Day 4 of Spring Practice – Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson probably wants the Commodores to start practice Saturday morning the way they closed Friday evening. In what was the spring’s most spirited session, the defense got the upper hand on their offensive counterparts in a short, yet intense scrimmage that ended the team’s two-hour practice Friday. The Commodores will return to the John Rich Practice Facility Saturday for their fifth practice of the spring. The session starts at 9:30 a.m. Junior defensive end Jovan Haye helped the defense to a quick start by stopping the first rush for no gain. Moments later, juniors Andrew Pace and Otis Washington made superb defensive plays – Pace knocking down a deep sideline pass by junior Jay Cutler and Washington belting a ballcarrier for a one-yard loss. The best offensive production came through the air. Cutler and junior fullback Matthew Tant connected for a 25-yard gain while sophomore quarterback Steven Bright found junior walk-on J.T. Simms on a deep out for 20 yards. The Bright-Simms first down completion was the final offensive highlight. After a punishing hit by sophomore linebacker Funtaine Hunter stopped a tailback in his tracks, pressure from junior linebacker Moses Osemwegie disrupted a pass play. As Johnson’s whistle signalled the conclusion of practice, the Commodore defense was celebrating a forced fumble and recovery by redshirt freshman Khalil Sutton. Coveted Gold Jerseys Reappear Johnson started the tradition of using gold jerseys to reward excellence on the practice field when he arrived on campus three years ago. Upcoming Schedule |
