University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Battle It Out In Second Scrimmage
8/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 17, 2002
The University of Houston held its second scrimmage of the fall preseason this morning at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium, and all three facets of the team, offense, defense and special teams, continued their improvement as the season opener quickly approaches.
The Cougars spent almost two hours hammering away at one another in the sweltering heat, working out for the UH faithful at Robertson Stadium during Fan Appreciation Day. Despite the extremely warm conditions, UH head coach Dana Dimel was impressed with not only the defense's ability to stop the run, but he also enjoyed watching his redshirt freshman quarterback Barrick Nealy lead the offense to two scores.
"I was really pleased with how the defense performed," said Dimel. "Two weeks before the season begins you hope your number-one defense is ahead of your number-one offense. If it weren't, there would be some concern.
"Plus for us, this time last year I don't know if this was the case. We showed some good signs today at the scrimmage. Offensively, there are some things we need to focus on (and) continue to try to work on. We need to try to get all the mechanics and the timing of things ironed out over the next two weeks."
The Cougar defense stuffed the run all morning long, limiting the UH offense to just 95 yards rushing on 46 carries. Along the way the defense registered six sacks, including two by sophomore defensive end Joe Clay, as well as a scrimmage-ending interception by sophomore safety Jermain Woodard.
On the offensive side of the ball, Nealy continued to impress the coaching staff with his versatility, mobility and durability, throwing for 188 yards and two scores while also rushing for five yards. Nealy-who is running the number-one offense in the absence of junior Nick Eddy who is nursing a strained hamstring-completed 14-of-23 passing attempts with just the one interception.
Nealy hooked up with junior tight end Jon Clark on a 24-yard strike, stepping up in the pocket after feeling the defensive pressure and hitting Clark in stride in the end zone. He later hooked up with junior wide receiver Brandon Middleton on a busted play, scrambling to his right to avoid the rush and finding Middleton behind the secondary from 27 yards out.
"I didn't see anything but real pluses with (Nealy)," commented Dimel. "He seemed focused. He didn't seem flustered. He kept his composure and used his athleticism at times. We just need to continue to keep working him and emphasizing that he use his athleticism."
The Cougars return to two-a-days tomorrow as the enter the third week of preseason camp. UH will spend the next week in two-a-day mode leading up to the first day of classes on Monday, August 26. The Cougars open the 2002 season by traveling to Rice Stadium to face archrival Rice on Saturday, August 31, in the annual Administaff Bayou Bucket clash.
-UHCougars.com-
Rushing: Battle 10-36, Evans 7-28, Reynolds 4-23, Smith 6-17, Feathers 2-8, M. Francis 6-7, Nealy 4-5, Moore 1-(-3), Bassler 1-(-6), Botts 5-(-20).
Passing: Nealy 14-23-1, 188 yards; Botts 4-9-0, 45; Moore 3-3-0, 42; Bassler 1-4-0, 0.
Receiving: Evans 4-7, Middleton 3-61, Clark 3-53, Daniels 2-15, Tyson 1-46, K. Bell 1-15, Gibson 1-15, Mattox 1-14, McCullar 1-12, Strange 1-10, Pritchett 1-9, Ch. Francis 1-6, McGilvray 1-6, B. Robinson 1-6.
