Second WSU Scrimmage Sees the Offense Shine and Defense Improve

OGDEN, UTAH - Weber State held it's second scrimmage of the 2008 Spring football practice season. The Wildcats went through 72- plays on a sun drenched afternoon on the artificial turf practice field. Like most coaches during Spring practice, Coach Ron McBride had praise and some correction speeches for both sides of the ball, but was generally pleased with the progress of his Wildcats.

"Maybe it was the nice sunny, warm day for a change, but both sides of the ball made significant improvement from last week's scrimmage," said McBride. " Justin White had a break out day. He made the defense miss on several occasions and had a couple of nice pass receptions off of screens which he turned into big plays."

White, (5-10, 185), a red-shirt freshman from Wellston, Oklahoma had 11 carries for 67 yards and scored one touchdown. The 20-yard scoring run came during the "red-zone" segment of the scrimmage helping the offense to four straight scores. He had four receptions for 67 yards. One of those receptions was a screen pass from freshman quarterback Joel Hancock which he turned into a 25-yard touchdown also during the "red zone" segment. It was Hancock's only pass attempt of the afternoon.

Cameron Higgins (6-2, 195 Soph.) had a solid afternoon completing 14-19 passes, no interceptions, for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He had a five-yard toss to wide receiver Joe Collins (6-3, 185 Jr.) and a screen pass to fullback Marcus Mailei (6-1, 255 Sr.) who gathered it in and rambled 40-yards for a score In all, 11 different players had at least one pass reception.

Defensively, Thyrell Lewis (5-9, 175 Jr.) who red-shirted last season after transferring from Mt. San Antonio JC, shook off the effects of a shoulder stinger sustained in Thursday's practice and made a leaping interception of a Brendon Doyle pass in the end zone, returning it 30 yards. Veteran safety Scotty Goodloe (6-1, 195 Sr.) batted down a pass and recovered a fumble.

"Our defense got better but we still need to get mentally and physically tougher in the red zone," said McBride. "The interception by Thyrell was big time play and we forced a couple of fumbles. We need the defense to create more turnovers and this afternoon was a step in the right direction."

Eric Lee (5-11, 235 Sr.) had 11 carries for 43 yards and scored on a one-yard run during "red zone" play and had one pass reception for three yards. McBride said he was pleased with the way he (Lee) is becoming a better power runner between the tackles.

The Wildcats wrap up Spring drills next week with practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The Spring ends next Saturday, April 19 with the Purple/White Spring Game beginning at 1:00 p.m. (MDT) in Stewart Stadium. Admission to the game is free.

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