Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Conduct 140-Play Scrimmage
4/9/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Hoosiers Conduct 140-Play Scrimmage
Bloomington, Ind. -- The Indiana University football team held a 140-play scrimmage today on the football practice fields adjacent to Mellencamp Pavilion. The scrimmage included the following situations: first-and-10, third-and-10, third-and-six, third-and-three, goal line, and red zone.
The following players missed, or saw limited action during, today's scrimmage: center Chad Miller (death in the family), guard Matt Snyder (death in the family), defensive tackle Jason Czap (wrist), and fullback Jason Spear (missed first 100 plays because he had a test). Defensive end/tackle Sean Nelson and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye saw limited action because of nagging injuries.
Comments from Assistant Head Coach Pete Schmidt:
"It wasn't too bad. We minimized the turnovers. Obviously, there were a few throws that we would have liked not to have seen. But, for a first situational scrimmage like this we are pretty pleased with the progress. We know we have a long way to go yet, and we need to improve, but it's a good start."
On the physical play of Frankie Franklin and De'Wayne Hogan: "They did very well. De'Wayne is learning the fullback position and that's new for him but he's an aggressive runner. He does have a tendency every once in awhile to leave that ball on the ground. We've got to work on that. Spear had an exam so he got here late."
On alignment with Antwaan Randle El at wide receiver and Tommy Jones at quarterback: "That could very well happen. There is no question about that. We wanted to give Tommy some experience with the first group as well. He's had a very good spring. He's played very well. He has a very sharp football mind. He's very smart and he has good command on the field. He has good presence and ability and he'll do nothing but really get better."
On protecting Randle El during scrimmage: "We wanted an early whistle on him. We don't want to take a chance on getting him hit. We know what he can do."
On offensive line: "The offensive line held up pretty well. You take two of your veterans out of there, expecially when one's the number one center and the other's the backup, so we were playing with two young centers in there. But, we have some defensive starters missing as well so there's a tradeoff there."
Comments from Defensive Coordinator Jon Heacock:
"Just like I told our guys, nothing is ever as good as it seams and nothing is ever as bad as it seems in spring scrimmages. You've just got to go back, look at the film, and evaluate where we are. I think we had some guys make some really good plays and yet I saw that ball going down the sideline a few times. We've got to evaluate what went on there. I think out kids came out and played hard and that's exciting to me."
On strong safety Brandon Rodgers: "He's one of those guys who has a knack for finding the football somehow. Today he stepped it up a notch and was seen out there. That's what we need him to do. He has some capabilities to be that guy and we need him to do that all of the time."
On play of defense througout spring: "Honestly, I'd hate to pick out just one guy but for the most part I think our guys have worked hard and played hard. We've changed some positions and moved guys around with the two linebackers and Joslin (Goodman). I think the kids are trying to play together and that's what we are trying to get done. I think Kemp Rasmussen has had a good spring, being a young guy. Those guys just keep getting better, and better, and better, every snap they take. They're always better at the end of the scrimmage than they are at the beginning. (Maurice) Tuck(er)'s a young guy and Brandon's a young guy and the two linebackers playing in there are young and Derek (Barnett's) and those guys just have to keep getting better and we're going to be okay."
On physical improvement: "That group that is out there, and the young guys included, is a very athletic group. They play pretty fast and that's the idea. That's true to conditioning and the job that Matt (Bomba) has done. I think the winter conditioning and the winter workouts have helped along with some of the young guys."
Comments from Head Coach Cam Cameron:
"It wasn't a typical scrimmage. It was a situational scrimmage so when you're sitting there first-and-10, its back, and then you never really get down the field until the end. The first team defense played as well as they have played. Offensively, we have a long way to go. I don't care how you look at it, situational scrimmage or not."
On Frankie Franklin and De'Wayne Hogan: "Anthony has been talking to those guys about being more physical. We've got to get that out of everyone. Not just those two guys. Jason Spear had a chemistry or physics test. Jason Czap had it too and said it was the toughest test he had ever taken. Our backs have got to continue to be more physical because they are not the type of backs who are going to beat you with their speed or amaze you will all of their talent."
On alignment with Antwaan Randle El at wide receiver and Tommy Jones at quarterback:
"Tommy, early in the spring really did some good things and he's had a good spring so far. He has a lot of room for improvement and I'm not willing to say right now that they are both going to be out there at the same time but the 11 best players on offense are going to play. If those two guys are in the top 11, and you have to weigh the injury situation but you have to go with the 11-best guys. We can't afford for one of those guys to be sitting over on the sideline. Tommy is very good. He has some of those natural leadership abilities you want in a quarterback. He gets people lined up and the leadership he brings to this team is important."
"We are physically improved. We just got faster at Whip by moving Joslin (Goodman) there. We got faster at Mike by moving Devin Schaffer there. We got faster at Sam by moving Justin in there. The guy that caught my eye today was Brandon Rodgers. He made some plays and Maurice Tucker is starting to show up out there."
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CONTACT: Todd Starowitz, Football Media Relations Director
