Aug. 6, 2008
Purchase 2008 Season Tickets Starting at $99
RELATED LINKS: 2-Minute Drill Video | News Blitz
NEWS ALERT: Season Ticket Sales Surpass 2007 Total
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commodores concluded their first preseason practice in full gear Tuesday with a brief yet energetic live scrimmage.
Head Coach Bobby Johnson put the squad through the 25-play, five-possession scrimmage to close the 2-hour, 30-minute session held in hot and humid conditions at the John Rich Practice Facility.
The live action featured a quick offensive touchdown, several key third-down conversions, and numerous impressive defensive hits. Afterward, Johnson described the first-day scrimmage as “typical,” saying the squad showed plenty of promise, but must limit its miscues.
“It was kind of what you’d expect with the first one,” Johnson said. “Sometimes, guys get excited and lose sight of their assignments and technique, and want to hit, and go just fast.
“But I thought we settled down and started getting some things done. I thought the defense made some good plays but allowed some (third down) conversions. We need to shore that up a little bit, but hopefully our offense also was making some plays,” the head coach added.
Receiver Udom Umoh (R-Fr., Fort Valley, Ga.) produce the early fireworks on offense. Hooking up with QB Chris Nickson (R-Sr., Brundidge, Ala.) on a 10-yard reception in the opening possession, Umoh broke a tackler, dodged another and found open field during a 61-yard gain. One play later, Nickson found WR Jamie Graham (R-Fr., Nashville, Tenn.) on a 6-yard TD pass.
The defense kept the offense out of the end zone during the final four possessions. Safety Ryan Hamilton (R-Jr., Wycombe, Pa.) forced a punt on the second possession by breaking up a sideline pass attempt to Graham from QB Jared Funk (R-So., Long Grove, Ill.).
Cornerback Alan Strong (R-So., Atlanta, Ga.) produced one of the highlight hits in the third series, unloading on TB Ryan van Rensburg (R-Fr., Jacksonville, Fla.) after a short completion. The possession ended with a third-down stop by DT Rob Lohr (Fr., Phoenixville, Pa.).
Funk guided the offense to two first downs during the fourth possession, running for one and hitting TE Jake Bradford (Sr., St. Simons Island, Ga.) for another. Bradford also added an impressive 20-yard reception earlier in the session. Van Rensburg also impressed, fighting for extra yardage after an impressive hit by LB Chris Johnson (R-Jr., Birmingham, Ala.).
Defensive end Steven Stone (R-Jr., Conway, Ark.) had an impressive push and tackle for loss in the last possession.
Smith Out With Foot Injury
Offensive co-captain and starting wide receiver George Smith (R-Sr., Pembroke Hills, Fla.) is expected to miss nearly a month due to a stress fracture in his right foot, Johnson announced after the session. Smith, a sixth-year senior who overcame a serious illness in 2003, will likely have surgery Thursday to repair the injury.
Johnson indicated that Smith likely could miss the season opener at Miami (Ohio). He said the receiver would be away from practice for four weeks.
Other Practice Notes…
Offensive guard Ryan Vance (R-Jr., Houston, Texas) did not participate in the practice. He is not expected to be out for an extended period… The team will start each practice through Friday at 6 p.m., then hold a closed scrimmage on Saturday in Vanderbilt Stadium… D.J. Moore (Jr., Spartanburg, S.C.) participated as an offensive player for the entire session. It was the second time Moore has worked at wide receiver during camp… Punter Brett Upson (Jr., Griffin, Ga.) missed his fifth straight practice with a stomach illness… Linebacker Dexter Daniels (Fr., Brantley, Ala.) was back at practice after missing two days to attend the funeral of a family member.