University of Houston Athletics
White Outlasts Red in Defensive Struggle
4/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 13, 2002
Showing signs that last season's performance might have been an aberration, the Cougar defense showed up to play in the annual spring game, as the White Team edged past the Red Team, 17-13, in a two-and-a-half hour scrimmage at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium.
Both the White and Red defensive units came up with big plays, with redshirt freshman Carlos Jones leading the way for the white squad. The former Clear Lake High School standout was always around the ball, accounting for six tackles, two pass breakups and a tackle for loss. UH head coach Dana Dimel-who saw his defense give up a school-record 432 points in 2001-thoroughly enjoyed what he saw from the defensive side of the ball.
"The defense did some good things," commented Dimel. "We've been really emphasizing flying to the football and trying to get all 11 guys around the football. We've put in a lot of drills into what we're doing defensively and try to increase that type of defense (that we've implemented) as far as being aggressive.
"If we take some big steps defensively, our football team is going to be a solid football team next season."
The White Team jumped on the board first and in impressive fashion, moving 80 yards in just two plays. On the first play of the scrimmage junior Nick Eddy found sophomore Johnny Tyson streaking behind the secondary and hit him in stride for a 45-yard gain. On the next play senior Joffrey Reynolds burst through a monster hole created by junior Al James and sprinted untouched for the 35-yard score. Sophomore Dustin Bell's extra point made the score a quick 7-0.
Both defenses clamped down for the next several series, as both offensive units struggled to move the ball. As a matter of fact, the Red Team countered the White score off a big defensive play, as senior cornerback Greg Holte picked off redshirt freshman Barrick Nealy deep in White territory. Holte's 25-yard return set the stage for the first significant White Team drive of the game, as redshirt freshman quarterback Blade Bassler guided the squad on a seven-play, 60-yard drive culminated by senior running back Chris Robertson bursting through the middle from the Red 13. Robertson ran over the tandem of senior Victor Malone and sophomore Jermain Woodard at the five and bulled his way into the endzone. Bell-who was playing for both squads-nailed the point after to knot the game at seven.
The White Team would score not once, but twice before the half to take control of the game. Eddy led the team on a 10-play drive covering 67 yards to put the White up by a touchdown. Eddy showed his versatility on the drive, passing for 33 yards and rushing for an additional 11, including a five-yard score by keeping on the option. Eddy finished the day with 110 yards passing on seven-of-10 attempts as well as 13 yards on six rushes.
Nealy would lead the White on their final scoring drive of the first half, running and passing the Cougars down the field to set up a 37-yard field goal by Bell. The big play of the drive was a beautifully executed 29-yard strike from Nealy to senior Brian Robinson which put the White Team in field goal range.
After the half the Red Team chipped away at the White lead on its first drive. Senior Torrence Botts quarterbacked the team on a nine-play drive that reached the White 18-yard line where the drive stalled. Again, Bell converted from 37 yards, and Red Team now trailed by a touchdown, 17-10.
In the fourth quarter as the White Team was attempting to put the game away, the Red Team recovered a fumble by junior tight end Stephen Cucci deep in White territory, however, the defensive unit of the White squad held tough, forcing another Bell field goal attempt. Bell drilled it through the uprights from 27 yards out, cutting the White lead to 17-13.
With less than five minutes to play in the scrimmage, the White Team iced the game by moving from its 20-yard line to the Red 26. The Eddy to Jon Clark connection was huge for the White Team, as the quarterback and former juco All-American hooked up twice on critical third downs to move the chains for the White. Time ran out as the White Team had Nealy just kneel on the ball.
Evans led all rushers with 62 yards on 10 carries, while teammate Robertson chipped in 60 on nine carries before leaving the game with an injured knee. Reynolds paced the White attack on the ground with a team-leading 56 yards on just six carries.
This game concludes the annual spring football ritual for the Cougars, and Houston next returns to the playing field in the fall when it renew old acquaintances with crosstown rival Rice in the battle for the Bayou Bucket on August 31 at Rice Stadium.
-UHCougars.com-
1 2 3 4 F
White 7 10 0 0 17
Red 7 0 3 3 13
White-Joffrey Reynolds 35 run (Dustin Bell kick)
Red-Chris Robertson 13 run (Bell kick)
White-Nick Eddy 5 run (Bell kick)
White-Bell 37 FG
Red-Bell 37 FG
Red-Bell 27 FG
Rushing
White-Reynolds 6-56, Feathers 6-30, Thibodeaux 6-26, Nealy 6-19, Eddy 6-13, Meador 1-(-6).
Red-Evans 10-62, C. Robertson 9-60, Botts 7-16, Bassler 2-3, Carl Francis 1-5.
Passing
White-Eddy 7-10-0-110, Nealy 4-9-1-41, Meador 1-1-0-11.
Red-Bassler 4-8-0-38, Botts 3-6-0-31.
Receiving
White-Clark 3-41, Brian Robinson 2-45, Reynolds 2-9, Tyson 1-45, Young 1-11, Cucci 1-5, K. Bell 1-3, Daniels 1-3.
Red-Hopkins 2-34, Evans 2-4, Kargbo 1-15, Carl Francis 1-9, McCardell 1-7.
