University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Conclude Spring With Competitive Scrimmage
4/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 3, 2004
HOUSTON, Texas - Spring practice came to an end this afternoon, as the Cougars spent a little over an hour scrimmaging at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium in the annual Red-White Game.
The Cougars produced a balanced attack, unofficially rushing for 309 yards and throwing for an additional 240. The Houston defense came up with a few big plays and big hits of their own, delighting the partisan crowd in attendance.
With his second spring coming to a close, UH head coach Art Briles is pleased with what his Cougars accomplished over the past month.
"It was a little bit more heated than what we had wanted right there at the end," said Briles, "but when they get out here and play there is going to be emotions. We really tried to low-key and get out of it injury free.
"Now, we'll just get ready for next fall."
Quarterback Kevin Kolb paced the offensive attack by completing nine-of-12 passes for an even 100 yards. Kolb spent most of the scrimmage handing off to the plethora of running backs at his disposal, including returnees Jackie Battle, Anthony Evans and Matt Schirmer, as well as newcomers Anthony Alridge and Ryan Gilbert.
Alridge led all rushers with 99 yards on just five carries, while Gilbert tacked on 45 yards on three carries. A 1,000-yard rusher a year ago, Evans rushed five times for 41 yards, while Battle chipped in 49 yards on a team-high nine totes. Alridge, Evans and Gilbert scored three of the five touchdowns during the scrimmage.
Wide receiver Chad McCullar led all receivers with 51 yards on five catches, and the elusive runner tacked on an 11-yard touchdown on an end around. The only receiving touchdown came on a 46-yard pass from backup quarterback Matt Stanley to wide out Raphael Hearne.
Overall, Briles believes his team in on the right track as the summer approaches and enjoyed seeing plenty of Cougar fans in the stands.
"It has been a good spring," added Briles. "We appreciate the fans who came out. We really do. We appreciate people taking the time to come out and watch us, and hopefully we will give them a good show next fall when we play for real."
The "reality" for Houston comes on September 4, when the Cougars open the season by playing cross-town rival Rice at Rice Stadium in the annual Administaff Bayou Bucket.
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Rushing: Alridge 5-99, Battle 9-49, Gilbert 3-45, Evans 5-41, Schirmer 2-17, Kolb 2-13, McCullar 1-11, Gonzalez 3-10, Collins 2-7, Briles 3-7, Stanley 5-5, Taylor 6-5, Fernandez 2-1, Scott 2-0, Brown 5-(-1).
Passing: Kolb 9-12-0-100, Stanley 5-6-0-89, Briles 4-6-0-35, Brown 2-4-0-16.
Receiving: McCullar 5-51, Hearne 1-46, Gafford 2-37, Swain 1-24, Gibson 1-16, Carethers 1-15, Gilbert 1-15, Bassler 2-11, Jones 1-9, Marshall 1-9, McDaniel 1-2, Hairston 2-(-2).
