Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Sharp in Final Scrimmage
8/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 21, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State's football team has been working hard since reporting to fall camp on August 3. While the hard work isn't over as the squad prepare of the season opener against defending Big East Champion Cincinnati on Sept. 4, the Dogs will get a few days off after a scrimmage on Saturday night.
Head coach Pat Hill directed a 72-play scrimmage in Bulldog Stadium, the majority of it performed by some of the young student-athletes. Several key members of the team didn't practice because of nagging injuries including running back Robbie Rouse, receiver Jamel Hamler, running back Michael Harris and nose tackle Cornell Banks. Hill expects them all of be ready for practice on Tuesday.
"There is no reason to play some of those guys," said Hill. "They have had a good camp and didn't need to prove anything. We've been lucky that we got out of camp healthy with not too many injuries and there was no reason to get anyone else hurt."
Hill was pleased the continued development of the offensive line during camp and that of quarterback Ryan Colburn.
"Ryan has had a great camp," said Hill. "He played very tonight and we've had a lot of good quarterbacks over the years and he had as good a camp as any of those guys have. He's been sharp, made great decisions and is taking over this team as a leader."
Colburn connected in his first five pass attempts of the scrimmage and finished the night completed 5-of-8 passes for 69 yards with one touchdown of 13 yards to Matt Lindsey.
Sophomore Derek Carr attempted just three passes , completing two for 11 yards and threw an interception to Justin Webber, a walk-on safety from Sanger, Calif. Fellow sophomore Kelly O'Brien got the majority of the repetitions with nine pass attempts. He completed two for touchdowns and threw two interceptions. His TD passes were of 25 and 27 yards, respectively both to freshman Josh Harper.
Sophomore running back A.J. Ellis had 11 carries for 33 yards, while Milton Knox had six rushes for 77 yards with touchdown runs for 47 and 4 yards. Knox is a transfer from UCLA who has to sit out the 2010 season.
The Bulldog defense looked sharp in goal line situations, stopping the offense on consecutive drives. Senior linebacker Ben Jacobs made six tackles, while Jermaine Thomas and Jeremiah Toma added four. Donavaughn Pritchett had three tackles and a quarterback sack.
"A lot of young guys got some good quality reps tonight," said Hill. "We really wanted to give the young guys a chance to prove themselves. We still have some decisions to make on the depth chart and who we are going to prepare for the Cincinnati game."
The Dogs will not return to the practice field until Tuesday. On Sunday, the team will spend the day preparing for the rigorous academic schedule ahead for the fall semester going through academic sessions. The semester begins on Monday. Hill gives the players Monday off from practice to get adjusted to classes and take care of any last minute academic needs.
"We have had a great camp," said Hill. "I'm really pleased with our offensive line. They are going to be very good this year. I feel like we have made improvements on defense with some added speed personnel adjustments. We now have basically two full weeks of practice to get zeroed in on Cincinnati. They are very talented, have a lot of speed."
"We Are Your Team!" The Dogs open their season in less than a month on September 4 against defending Big East Champion Cincinnati. Don't miss any of the Bulldog football action. Ticket packages, includes season tickets for all seven home games are available now by clicking the tickets icon at the top of the page.
