University of Houston Athletics
Defense Dominates Morning Scrimmage
3/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 29, 2003
HOUSTON, Texas - With an uncharacteristic cool wind blowing in from the north, the University of Houston football team completed its third week of spring practice with a defense-dominated scrimmage this morning on the UH practice fields.
The Cougar defense forced two interceptions and forced three fumbles in the 85-play, scripted workout, while generally harassing the UH quarterbacks all morning. Unofficially, the defense racked up eight quarterback sacks, with senior linebacker Justin Davis recording two and six others posting one apiece.
Even though defenses are usually ahead of offenses at this stage of spring practice, first-year Houston head coach Art Briles likes the intensity the defense brought to the scrimmage this morning.
"I thought the defense really flew around today and did a good job," said Briles. "We did a few good things offensively, but we have time to get better, so we're going to take that time to get better.
"(The defense) is really accelerating to the ball. They're playing fast. They're playing with a lot of effort and intensity. That is what we like. If the other team doesn't score, we have a pretty good chance to win."
Offensively, senior quarterback Nick Eddy persevered in the face of the Cougar defensive blitz, connecting on nine-of-15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Eddy connected with sophomore Chad McCullar on a 70-yard bomb and later hooked up with another sophomore, Vincent Marshall, on a five-yard score in goal line situations.
On the ground sophomore Anthony Evans was the most impressive, rushing for 59 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. Junior Bobby Tillman had 24 yards on four carries, while redshirt freshman Jackie Battle added 18 yards on three totes.
The Cougars will practice twice during the week (Tuesday and Thursday) and then finish off spring practice with the Red-White game on Saturday, April 5, at 10 am at Robertson Stadium. All Cougar fans are encouraged to attend and admission is free.
--www.UHcougars.com-
