ShowMeBear2
August 19th, 2007, 08:31 AM
One year after unit struggled, response in scrimmage leaves coaches pleased.
Lyndal Scranton
News-Leader
Missouri State's final football scrimmage on Saturday was two minutes old and the defense already had been knocked on its backside.
"We came out a little flat, not really focused or ready," senior cornerback Marcus Colbert said.
The damage: Six plays and 80 yards, with Gerald Davis' 10-yard touchdown run the capper.
Then something happened that rarely occurred last season.
The defense stood up for itself.
The next 10 drives matching the ones-against-ones or twos-against-twos produced no points and two turnovers.
"That's good to see," head coach Terry Allen said. "I thought the defense did what it needed to.
"They flew to the football pretty well and they didn't give up a 'bomb,' a play over 25 yards, the rest of the day."
Colbert, named Saturday as one of four captains, said it was all about pride after the poor start.
"Once we got things going and realized the tempo was not like practice, we kind of buckled down," Colbert said. "We got things together.
"Every day is a good day because we all get better. The younger guys get more experience."
A couple of young guys gave a glimpse of what might be coming the next four seasons. Defensive tackle Levi Moore of Mountain View forced and then recovered a fumble before fellow redshirt freshman Sam Block, running first-team middle linebacker, made a diving, juggling interception.
A third redshirt freshman, safety Derek Miller, also is a projected starter.
"We're young, but we have talent," Colbert said.
Offensively, sophomore Matt Krapfl solidified his hold on the No. 1 quarterback spot. He completed 9 of 16 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman Cody Kirby hit 7 of 14 for 76 yards with an interception.
"I thought Matt looked like the veteran today and Cody looked like a freshman," Allen said. "He threw a couple of balls high."
Allen said it's a near-certainty that both will see considerable playing time in the Aug. 30 opener against Missouri-Rolla.
Scrimmage notes
- Jonathan Davis and Travis Ribbing rushed for touchdowns, with Clay Harbour and Chad Peachy catching TD passes. Peachy is a walk-on from Rogers, Ark., and Kirby's go-to receiver in high school.
- There were only three penalties in the 65-play scrimmage and all were on the offense. Only one, a false start, occurred with the first unit on the field.
- Joining Colbert as captains are tailback Gerald Davis, linebacker Jeron Poole and center David Tillman. Captains were selected by the players.
http://cmsimg.news-leader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DO&Date=20070819&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=708190409&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=300&MaxH=400&Border=0
Lyndal Scranton
News-Leader
Missouri State's final football scrimmage on Saturday was two minutes old and the defense already had been knocked on its backside.
"We came out a little flat, not really focused or ready," senior cornerback Marcus Colbert said.
The damage: Six plays and 80 yards, with Gerald Davis' 10-yard touchdown run the capper.
Then something happened that rarely occurred last season.
The defense stood up for itself.
The next 10 drives matching the ones-against-ones or twos-against-twos produced no points and two turnovers.
"That's good to see," head coach Terry Allen said. "I thought the defense did what it needed to.
"They flew to the football pretty well and they didn't give up a 'bomb,' a play over 25 yards, the rest of the day."
Colbert, named Saturday as one of four captains, said it was all about pride after the poor start.
"Once we got things going and realized the tempo was not like practice, we kind of buckled down," Colbert said. "We got things together.
"Every day is a good day because we all get better. The younger guys get more experience."
A couple of young guys gave a glimpse of what might be coming the next four seasons. Defensive tackle Levi Moore of Mountain View forced and then recovered a fumble before fellow redshirt freshman Sam Block, running first-team middle linebacker, made a diving, juggling interception.
A third redshirt freshman, safety Derek Miller, also is a projected starter.
"We're young, but we have talent," Colbert said.
Offensively, sophomore Matt Krapfl solidified his hold on the No. 1 quarterback spot. He completed 9 of 16 passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Freshman Cody Kirby hit 7 of 14 for 76 yards with an interception.
"I thought Matt looked like the veteran today and Cody looked like a freshman," Allen said. "He threw a couple of balls high."
Allen said it's a near-certainty that both will see considerable playing time in the Aug. 30 opener against Missouri-Rolla.
Scrimmage notes
- Jonathan Davis and Travis Ribbing rushed for touchdowns, with Clay Harbour and Chad Peachy catching TD passes. Peachy is a walk-on from Rogers, Ark., and Kirby's go-to receiver in high school.
- There were only three penalties in the 65-play scrimmage and all were on the offense. Only one, a false start, occurred with the first unit on the field.
- Joining Colbert as captains are tailback Gerald Davis, linebacker Jeron Poole and center David Tillman. Captains were selected by the players.
http://cmsimg.news-leader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DO&Date=20070819&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=708190409&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=300&MaxH=400&Border=0