Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Look Sharp in First Football Scrimmage
4/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 6, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State head coach Pat Hill was very pleased with his squad's first scrimmage of the fall. Nearly 300 fans, including former Bulldog quarterback David Carr, who will be the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, watched the two-hour practice and scrimmage at Bakersfield High School.
"I was very pleased," said Hill. "We have made a lot of progress. We have more to improve on but we are so much farther along than we were at this point last year. We are as crisp as I've seen this early in the spring."
Fresno State ran a 30-play scrimmage, working on first down situations, in the first of three scrimmages of the spring.
"I like taking the team on the road in the spring," Hill said. "I like it because we get out in the Valley but also because we have seven road games this season and it helps the guys to travel, get off the bus, change in a strange locker room and then have to go out and play. It's like a road game for us. Most importantly, we want to take the team out the fans in the Valley."
Bulldog quarterbacks, Jeff Grady and Paul Pinegar, each looked sharp. The duo combined to complete14-of-16 passes for 105 yards. Grady, a redshirt junior, was 7-for-8 for 47 yards. Pinegar, a redshirt freshman was 7-for-8 for 58 yards. Junior receiver Marque Davis caught three passes for 28 yards while redshirt freshman tight end John Morris had three receptions for 38 yards.
The running game was also in full effect, as Hill called an even number of passing and running plays. Sophomore Therrian Fontenot led the team with 15 yards on two carries. Senior Derrick Ward had four carries for 11 yards.
Several Bulldogs did not participate in the scrimmage for a variety of reasons. Nick Burley (thumb) went through the practice session but did not scrimmage. Starting right tackle Joe Schey did not make the trip to Bakersfield because he was taking a test. Two starters, Bernard Berrian (toe) and Brian Morris (knee), are not participating in spring practice while they rehabilitate their injuries.
The next scrimmage will be held at Merced College on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The spring practice session will conclude April 26 with the annual Spring Game at Bulldog Stadium.
