University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Bower Likes First Scrimmage
3/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bower Likes First Scrimmage
a two-hour Saturday workout that included an hour-long, 50-play scrimmage that pitted the first offense against the first
defense and the second offense against the second defense.
It also was a workout/scrimmage that left Head Coach Jeff Bower pleased, with the workout as well as the first week of
practice. "In a lot of ways, this was typical of a first scrimmage," he said. "I thought our effort was good, that we were
physical, and that was the most important thing that we wanted to see, for us to fly around and be a physical team.
"We also had a lot of mistakes, a lot inconsistencies, the ball on the ground too many times, a lot of penalties, but those
things are going to happen in a first scrimmage. We probably had some of our veteran players making some of those
mistakes on the offensive side of the ball. That kind of disappoints you, but I thought it was a good first week that we
capped off with a good scrimmage today."
Bower was especially pleased with the running game. "I think the best thing we did on offense was run the football. It
was good to see Derrick Nix back out here. I thought he ran the ball well. Timmy Blackwell has a lot of talent and I
thought that, for a first scrimmage, he showed a lot of patience that allowed him to make some big plays. He showed a
lot of ability."
During the scrimmage, quarterback Jeff Kelly completed six of 10 passes for 71 yards and threw one interception. Zac
White hit five of seven for 40 yards and redshirt freshman Micky D'Angelo was two of seven for 12 yards and threw one
interception.
Ten different players caught at least one pass. Kenneth Johnson led the way with three catches for 32 yards.
Dawayne Woods led the rushers with three carries for 47 yards. Nix added 23 yards on six carries and
Blackwell carried six times for 19 yards.
Defensively, Etric Pruitt came up with an interception that he returned eight yards and Seth Cumbie score
the game's lone TD with a 40-yard interception return. The defense also came up with at least 10 sacks,
and forced the offense into 14 penalties.
The Golden Eagles are scheduled to work four days next week, including another Saturday (March 31)
scrimmage as the team heads for an April 7 Black and Gold Spring Game that will highlight a busy
weekend of activities associated with the spring game.
