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LOGAN, Utah - Utah State football concluded spring drills with the annual Blue-White Scrimmage Friday at Romney Stadium, with the home side tallying a 14-10, come-from-behind victory.
The Aggies, who were divided into home and visitor sides with the depth chart split among the two groups, went through roughly 90 plays including three extra points and one field goal.
"We were real pleased we were able to have this type of format," USU head coach Brent Guy said, who completed his fourth spring at the helm of the Aggies. "Three years ago, in my first spring here, we had 56 total players out here with only seven offensive linemen total, so we couldn't have done anything like today. This is really the first time that we have had the ability to play what is like a game. We had 98 plays total, counting extra points, a field goal and a few penalties. We played about a half of a game today."
The visitor side opened with a 10-0 lead after a 30-yard field goal by junior kicker Chris Ulinski and a 28-yard TD run by senior tailback Derrick Cumbee with the PAT by Ulinski. The home side responded with two TD receptions from redshirt-freshman wide receiver Stanley Morrison, the first an 11-yarder from junior quarterback Jase McCormick and the second coming on a 14-yard catch from senior quarterback Sean Setzer late in the scrimmage. Sophomore kicker Peter Caldwell split the uprights on both extra points.
"I was real pleased with how there late in the game we went down and scored, then the defense went back out there and got the ball back," Guy said.
Cumbee, who converted to tailback from linebacker after last season, ended the day with nine carries for 69 yards for the visitors, showing some breakaway speed as well as breaking some tackles.
"Derrick Cumbee had a great day today," Guy said. "That's what we've been hoping to see for awhile and I think he finally got comfortable, and just started running. He is a very athletic player and a very strong player, plus he's fast. We've seen that in the time that he's been here, and as he continues to grow and develop he can contribute at that position."
Setzer played mostly for the home side, but saw some action with the visitors, finishing the day 10-of-12 passing for 86 yards while McCormick, who also saw the majority of his playing time with the home team, was 4-of-7 for 31 yards.
Sophomore tailback Curtis Marsh led the home side with 10 rushes for 32 yards and also had three catches for 17 yards.
"From the tailback position, I felt that we ran the ball really well today. In addition to Cumbee, Curtis Marsh has had a very solid spring," Guy said.
McCormick had a total of four carries for 28 yards, including a 16-yard scamper on third-and-11 during the seventh series of the day. The 14-play 56-yard drive was capped by the 11-yard McCormick to Morrison TD pass.
The home side was 6-of-11 on third downs while the visitor team was 3-of-9, but was 2-of-3 on fourth downs.
Morrison had a total of four catches for 58 yards with the two TD's, exhibiting some speed.
"I'm really excited about young guys like Stanley Morrison," Guy said. I thought he opened some eyes today with what we've been talking about."
Senior wide receiver Otis Nelson had four catches for 26 yards for the home side. The visitors were led by redshirt-freshman Tarren Lloyd with four receptions for 31 yards while sophomore transfer Eric Moats caught four passes for 28 yards.
Defensive highlights included a 24-yard interception return by sophomore cornerback Chris Randle while fellow sophomore cornerback Geno Odong had a tackle for loss, as well as junior safety James Brindley. Redshirt-freshman defensive tackle Tom Schweiger added a sack. Classmate, cornerback Angelo Pree had a fumble recovery while senior safety Caleb Taylor tallied a pass break-up.
"We are very solid defensively, and we have a lot of depth," Guy said. "We have two groups of linebackers we can roll through that have played and started a lot of football games for us. Our depth has helped us be able to move De'von Hall from linebacker to safety and switch Roy Hurst from safety to corner. That depth is what will help us in the fourth quarter and we can have some guys step up and make the plays."
Utah State returns 17 starters (six offense, nine defense and two special teams) among 39 lettermen. The Aggies open the 2008 season on Aug. 30 at UNLV.
Utah State Football Spring Scrimmage Stats
Scoring: Chris Ulinski 30 yd field goal, VIS 3-0 Derrick Cumbee 28 yd run (Ulinski kick), VIS 10-0 Stanley Morrison 11 yd pass from Jase McCormick (Peter Caldwell kick), VIS 10-7 Morrison 14 yd pass from Sean Setzer (Caldwell kick), HOME 14-10
Passing: Home: Sean Setzer 8-10, 78 yards (1 INT, 1 TD); Jase McCormick 4-5, 31 yards (1 TD) Visitor: Ben Longshore 6-12, 51 yards; Setzer 2-4, 8 yards; McCormick 0-2 Total: Setzer 10-12, 86 yards (1 INT, 1 TD); McCormick 4-7, 31 yards (1 TD)
Rushing: Home: Curtis Marsh 10-32 yards; McCormick 4-23; Josh Flores 5-15; Setzer 4-16; Brian Mason 2-6; Chris Forbes 3-4 Visitor: Derrick Cumbee 9-69 (1 TD); McCormick 1-14; Longshore 3-8; Geoff Roberts 1-7; Setzer 2-4; Derrvin Speight 4-2; Forbes 1-2 Total: McCormick 4-28; Setzer 6-20; Forbes 4-6
Receiving: Home: Stanley Morrison 4-58, (2 TD); Otis Nelson 4-26; Marsh 3-17; Zac Zimmerman 1-8 Visitor: Eric Moats 4-28; Tarren Lloyd 4-31
Defensive: Interception: Chris Randle, return for 24 yards Tackle for loss: Geno Odong 1-(-2); James Brindley 1-(-3); Tom Schweiger 1-(-5) Sack: Tom Schweiger 1-(-5) Fumble recovery: Angelo Pree 1-0 Pass break-up: Caleb Taylor
