Opening week ends in sloppy play
By Jordan Blum
Opinion Editor

Head coach Gary Patterson said he wanted to end the first week of spring practice going into Spring Break on a positive note. However, coaches don’t always get what they wish for.

Thursday’s afternoon scrimmage was highlighted by sloppy play, fumbles and a couple of scuffles between players.

David Dunai/STAFF REPORTER Wide receiver LaTarence Dunbar catches a pass at the Galleryfurniture.com Bowl game in December. Dunbar saw some action of the defensive side during the first week of spring practice.

Patterson said he was happy with the overall week of practice but added that the team ended its scrimmage looking “very out of sync.”

“(Wednesday) we were running good and tackling and not turning the ball over,” Patterson said. “(Thursday) was like it was the first scrimmage ever for some of these guys.”

Patterson attributed some of the poor play on defense to the fact that two of the safeties were out. Starting weak safety Marvin Godbolt is out two weeks with a back injury and current second-string Flander Malone had his bell rung and sat out most of the scrimmage.

Patterson said there were still some good signs on which to build following the break. He said the team is running the ball better than last year because it has more experience and chemistry with which to work.

Patterson also said this team is improving because there’s a lot more continuity than last year in terms of returning players and a more solidified coaching staff.

“The coaching staff is working out really good for us,” he said. “This year everybody has been here at least a year except just two of us.”

Practice will resume March 19 after Spring Break, and the spring game will be played April 6.

News and Notes
Senior-to-be quarterback Sean Stilley is displaying his leadership and throwing with a lot of accuracy. Early on, he seems to be distancing himself from the younger quarterbacks.

Wide receiver LaTarence Dunbar is being experimented with at free safety as well now.

When you add in his special teams play, he may never get to see the bench. Patterson said he won’t know until the fall the extent to which Dunbar will be able to contribute on defense, but added that, “he’s the type of player you want to see on the field as much as possible.”

Team strengths appear to be at wide receiver and defensive line. At wide receiver, Dunbar returns with last year’s receptions leader Adrian Madise. Terran Williams returns and has looked very good while providing a deep threat with his speed. Also, former starter Kevin Brown is healthy again and redshirt freshman Reggie Harrell will be expected to contribute.

The defensive line is led by interior linemen John Turntine and Chad Pugh. Patterson said he sees the line as the team’s strength once defensive end Bo Schobel is healthy opposite Bobby Pollard on the left side of the line.

Look for linebacker LaMarcus McDonald to have another huge season. He has gained nearly 15 pounds of muscle without losing speed and also serves as a vocal leader for the defense.

Patterson said they will probably not replace the Marshall game with another team and keep an 11-game schedule. Patterson said he would like to play a 12th game but said an extra week of rest will do the team good next season.

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