Defense Again Sets The Pace In 2nd Scrimmage

8/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football

Aug. 17, 2007

HOUSTON - With the first day of the fall semester on the horizon on Monday, the University of Houston football team hit the field at Robertson Stadium for its second scrimmage during the fall preseason. For the second straight head-to-head battle, the Cougar defense put up impressive numbers, racking up 12 sacks during the two-hour workout.

The offense was led on two touchdown drives by redshirt freshman Case Keenum. One resulted in a five-yard rushing touchdown by freshman Terrance Ganaway, while later Keenum hooked up with senior wide receiver Jeron Harvey from 27 yards out. Keenum finished with 112 yards passing on 11-of-13 throwing.

Overall, UH head coach Art Briles seemed pleased with the day's events.

"I thought we ended up pretty good," said Briles, "but I didn't think we started fast. There is not a reason not to (start fast). We have to do a better job as coaches to get the guys coming out of the gate playing fast and hard with a lot of emotion. We didn't bring much emotion to scrimmage early but it got better as it went on.

"That is something we're going to work on in the next few weeks (and that) is coming out of the gates and playing fast early."

Junior defensive tackle Ell Ash, and a pair of sophomores, safety Broderic Bean and linebacker Britton Maxwell, led the defensive attack with a pair of sacks a piece. Redshirt freshman Jamal Robinson recorded the only turnover on the day, picking off senior Al Pena early in the scrimmage.

On offense senior running back Anthony Alridge paced the ground attack with 67 yards on 11 carries. He added an additional 43 yards receiving. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Teric Williams looked at home on the offensive side of the ball, just two weeks after switching over from cornerback. Williams led the receivers with 96 yards receiving on four catches.

The Cougars plan on taking Saturday off before returning the Athletics/Alumni Center for a Sunday afternoon workout. As mentioned, school starts on Monday, and the Cougars officially will break camp by settling into regular-week mode with Mondays off and workouts on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Cougars are just two weeks away from bordering a charter flight to Eugene, Oregon, to face the University of Oregon on September 1 at Autzen Stadium in the 2007 season opener for both teams.

---www.UHCougars.com---

Unofficial Stats

RUSHING--- Anthony Alridge 11-67, Justin Johnson 11-35, Terrance Ganaway 7-17, Jessie Harrison 3-8, Jovan Davis 3-2, Case Keenum 5-(-8), Al Pena 5-(-11), Bryan Hill 4-(-16), Blake Joseph 4-(-17).

PASSING --- Case Keenum 11-13-0, 112 yards; Al Pena 7-12-1, 89 yards; Blake Joseph 8-13-0, 46 yards; Bryan Hill 1-4-0, 15 yards

RECEIVING --- Teric Williams 4-96, Jeron Harvey 4-45, Anthony Alridge 4-43, Tyron Carrier 3-18, Jordan Brown 3-13, Wesley Scourten 3-11, Perry McDaniel 1-27, Tim Monroe 1-4, Donnie Avery 1-4, Chris Gilbert 1-3, E.J. Smith 1-3, Justin Johnson 1-(-5).