March 21, 2009
On campus in Nashville – The Commodores capped the second week of spring drills with an energetic 80-play scrimmage in Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday that offered explosiveness from both the offense and defense.
The 13-possession scrimmage featured a pair of offensive touchdowns, and two key turnovers, one returned 100 yards for a score by cornerback Casey Hayward.
Head Coach Bobby Johnson said the Commodores continued to show progress in the scrimmage, the team’s second workout this spring in Vanderbilt Stadium.
“I was very pleased with the scrimmage, and I thought we were active and moving around real well as a team,” Johnson said. “We are finding a lot of guys wanting to make plays.”
Midway through Spring Practice, the Commodores will return to Vanderbilt Stadium once more – for the featured Black & Gold Scrimmage on Saturday, March 28. The event, expected to start at 10 a.m., is free to Commodore followers.
Johnson alternated quarterbacks Mackenzi Adams, Larry Smith and Jared Funk through the scrimmage, letting each direct drives with the “A” offense. Adams and Funk guided the touchdown drives.
Here’s a brief look at other highlights:
Drive 1 Coaches stopped an impressive opening drive inside the red zone. Smith was 4-of-4 on the possession, hitting tight ends Brandon Barden and Justin Green, and receivers Udom Umoh and Terence Jeffers. Linebackers Nate Campbell and Brent Trice also posted punishing tackles.
Drive 2 After a missed exchange fumble to start the drive, Funk looked impressive, connecting with receiver Alex Washington and tight end Chris DeGeorge for first down receptions. Tailback Gaston Miller also had 26 yards rushing, including a 18-yarder. Lost yardage after a poor snap ended the possession.
Drive 3 A third-down tackle of tailback Ryan van Rensburg by Campbell forced a punting situation.
Drive 4 Three redshirt freshmen defenders – Johnell Thomas, Rob Lohr and DeAndre Jones – made impressive tackles, but the offense hurt itself with an apparent 68-yard touchdown strike from Adams to Umoh was nullified by penalty.
Drive 5 Funk guided the first offensive scoring drive. After hitting Washington on a short route and benefitting from the pass interference call, Funk found Umoh streaking down the left sideline for a 28-yard touchdown.
Drive 6 Jeffers impressed on a 11-yard reception from Smith. After Kennard Reeves rushed for 20 yards, the drive stalled when a sack by Josh Jelesky.
Drive 7 After van Rensburg rushed for 14 yards and Adams found receiver Tray Herndon for a second first down, tackle Greg Billinger helped the defense force a punt with a 3-yard tackle for loss.
Drives 8-10 The defense succeeded in three quick possessions, forcing two punting situations and claiming a turnover when defensive back Elvio Tropeano recovered a fumble quarterback-running back exchange. Linebacker Austin Newton made an athletic pass deflection to stop one of the drives.
Drive 11 What appeared to be a solid offensive scoring drive turned ugly when Hayward stepped in front of a Smith sideline pass and raced 100 yards for a score. Prior to the interception, Jeffers had an impressive 15-yard reception on a route over the middle. Billinger and tackle Adam Smotherman also contributed impressive tackles on running plays early in the drive.
Drive 12 Lohr continued his impressive defensive line play, contributing a punishing tackle of Miller on third down.
Drive 13 Adams guided the final possession that resulted in a touchdown, hitting Herndon on catches of 18 and 5 yards. After a pass interference infraction, van Rensburg capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The drive also included solid defensive plays by tackle Taylor Loftley and safety Al Owens.
Praising the kickers
Afterward, Johnson bragged about the progress of placekickers Ryan Fowler, senior Brett Upson and senior John Laughrey. They are competing to replace four-year starter and Music City Bowl hero Bryant Hahnfeldt.
“Those guys were impressive,” Johnson said. “Ryan really kicked the ball well and John had his best day yet. I think Brett missed one field goal, and that’s about the first one he’s missed this spring.”
Held Out of Action
Several players were held out of the scrimmage nursing minor injuries, including defensive tackle T.J. Greenstone, linebackers Patrick Benoist, Chris Marve and Michael Garcia, cornerback Alan Strong and receiver Akeem Dunham.
Gatewood Watches from the Sidelines
Former standout defensive end Curtis Gatewood watched his first practice of the spring with another former Commodore starting defensive lineman, Gabe Hall. Gatewood will report next year for mini camp in Kansas City. He ended his rookie campaign last year as a Chiefs linebacker after year on the Chiefs roster as a linebacker after starting the season with the Washington Redskins.