University of Houston Athletics
First Cougar Scrimmage Produces Positive Results
8/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2002
For the first time during fall camp the University of Houston football team squared off against one another in a morning scrimmage on the infield playing surface of the Carl Lewis International Track and Field Complex. The Cougars also participated in a two-hour workout later in the afternoon.
The Cougar defense showed signs it has dramatically improved from a year ago, holding the UH offense to just 58 yards on 40 carries on the ground. Both scores in the morning scrimmage came via the rush, as walk-on freshman Anthony Smith scored from 36 yards out, while redshirt freshman Anthony Evans bulled his way into the endzone from two yards out.
Overall, UH head coach Dana Dimel was pleased with his team's first outing under game-like situations.
"We had good balance," said Dimel, "as the defense started off looking really good, (then) the offense started getting it going once we got warmed up. I saw some pluses on both sides of the ball.
"The thing I talked to (the team) about was the pad level and the aggressiveness, and the thumping is what I really liked to see and hear. I thought we were much more better at that."
Led by junior-college transfer Farouk Adelekan's three tackles for loss, the defense registered five sacks on the Cougar quarterbacks. Junior cornerback Roland Cola and senior safety Greg Holte picked up the only two turnovers on the day with interceptions.
With close to 20 defensive linemen in camp, Dimel knows the success of this year's defense rides on the defensive line stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.
"When we were doing ones against ones (number-one units), the defensive line was solid," added Dimel. "The d-line is really much better than last season, and Farouk Adelekan really did some good things out there today. Some of the new additions are really helping us out there, and that is what we wanted."
Offensively, redshirt quarterback Barrick Nealy led the way for the Cougars, completing 10-of-16 passes for 95 yards and one interception. Senior Torrence Botts completed five-of-seven for 60 yards and one pick, while redshirt freshman Blade Bassler (4-6) and true freshman Shang Moore (4-5) both added 38 yards a piece through the air.
Smith was the leading ground gainer with 47 yards on 10 carries, while Evans added 24 on eight totes. As for receiving, senior Brian Robinson, junior Brandon Middleton, sophomore Johnny Tyson and true freshman Leonard Gibson all hauled in three catches a piece.
The Cougars return to the field tomorrow morning for the resumption of two-a-days. UH has Fan Appreciation Day on Saturday, August 17, in conjunction with its second scrimmage of the fall preseason...its first at Robertson Stadium.
-UHCougars.com-
Rushing: A. Smith 10-47, Evans 8-24, M. Francis 6-16, Battle 4-2, Nealy 3-(-1), Botts 5-(-2), Feathers 1-(-5), Thibodeaux 1-(-7), Bassler 1-(-8), Moore 1-(-8).
Passing: Nealy 10-16-1 95 yards; Botts 5-7-1 60 yards; Bassler 4-6-0 38 yards; Moore 4-5-0 38 yards.
Receiving: Middleton 3-40, Tyson 3-34, Gibson 3-32, B. Robinson 3-18, Bell 2-23, Pritchett 1-19, A. Smith 1-14, Battle 1-13, Strange 1-13, Arceneaux 1-9, Ch. Francis 1-7, Carethers 1-5, Clark 1-3, Evans 1-1.
