Football holds second scrimmage Wednesday
8/17/2009 2:15:00 AM | Football
The Sam Houston State football team will hold its second full game condition scrimmage Wednesday night (August 19) as preseason camp continutes for the Bearkats.
The squad is completing its second week of drills in preparation for the season opener Thursday, Sept. 3 against Western Illinois.
The offense highlighted the first scrimmage last Thursday with some big passing plays but the defense caused several turnovers and limited the running game. Head coach Todd Whitten looks for offensive improvement Wednesday.
"You expect mistakes like turnovers and penalties with only one week's work on offense, but, hopefully, from an offensive standpoint, we will see a good step up in the scrimmage Wednesday," Whitten said. "We need to make sure to protect better. We also need to open up a few more holes."
Most of the offensive success in the first scrimmage came on big plays. The longest running play last week was a 17-yard scramble by freshman quarterback Kyle Webster. The offensive line is breaking in two new starters and is looking to gel. Senior Travis Best is starting in the guard spot left vacated by Nick Grimes while senior R. C. Fairchild and redshirt freshman Riley Smith are battling to replace last season's starting tackle Chris Crockett.
"The effort has been good," Whitten said. "We have some new guys that this is their first time with us that are in the mix. The attitude and the effort have been good."
Only three starters return on defense, making that side of the line of scrimmage one ripe with opportunities for young players to step up. The defense is continuing to develop under new defensive coordinator Scott Stoker.
The Bearkat defense made some big plays last Thursday, forcing five fumbles, recovering three and picking off two passes.
"We should be a lot faster on defense this year," Whitten said. "We're young and I can't wait to see those young guys keep growing. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out."
The scrimmage Wednesday is open to the public. The final game condition scrimmage will be held Tuesday August 25.
