University of Houston Athletics
Cougar Football Notes
8/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2001
The University of Houston football team held their third team scrimmage Wednesday (Aug. 22) afternoon at Robertson Stadium as they continue to prepare to kick off the 2001 season on September 1 when they host cross-town rival Rice.
Today's scrimmage featured a total of 52 plays: 35 with the Cougars' first-string offense and 17 with the number one defense. One highlight of the afternoon was that the defense only allowed two first downs.
"Right now the defense needs to be more focused on Rice's attack, where the offense can get more simulation from our defense," commented second-year head coach Dana Dimel. "I'm very pleased with the defense, which is why they got in less repetitions today. They are a little bit ahead of the offense."
On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Kelly Robertson (Jr.-Port Neches, Texas/Dixie College/Western Kentucky), who has won the Cougars' starting job heading into the season to follow in the footsteps of former four-year starter Jason McKinley, had 19 plays in two series and looked strong, scoring a touchdown and a field goal.
"Kelly did a good job and he looked real strong," said Dimel. "He got some passes in there and did some good things. He's coming along every practice."
Nick Eddy, who transferred to Houston from American River JC and will back-up Robertson at quarterback, worked with the Cougars' number two offense and also pleased Dimel and the staff with his scrimmage performance.
"Our main objective today was to polish the offense and polish the game day operations, and to make our guys feel more comfortable come game day," said Dimel. "By the time we have our first game, we will have scrimmaged four times at the stadium, including three with complete game day mechanics to try to sooth their [the players, staff] game day gitters."
Defensive players who Dimel noted to watch for heading into the season include defensive lineman Adrian Lee (Jr.-Longview, Texas/Kilgore JC), Sherod McGowan (Fr.-Waco, Texas/Waco), Donald Mayo (Fr.-Houston, Texas/Aldine Eisenhower) and Quantaa Jackson (Jr.-Wharton, Texas/Blinn JC), linebacker Justin Davis (So.-Houston, Texas/Northshore) and corner Victor Malone (Jr.-Brooksville, Miss./East Mississippi JC).
"I'm real pleased with the defensive line, because that was a question mark at the start," added Dimel. "And offensively, we're real pleased at how talented our quarterbacks are and how much potential they have for the future."
Offensive performances Dimel noted include those from tight ends Tim Feathers (So.-Orange, Texas/West-Orange-Stark), who was moved to tight end from his previous full back position, Kyle Brown (So.-Brampton, Ontario/Bramalea) and Grover Thompson (Sr.-Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Tech/North Dakota State College of Science), and running back Anthony Evans (Fr.-Pearland. Texas/Pearland).
The Cougars will have their final scrimmage prior to the start of the season on Saturday, August 25, at Robertson Stadium.
