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Defense dominates scrimmage
From Staff Reports
In Purdue's first spring scrimmage Saturday afternoon
at Ross-Ade Stadium, the defense dominated the first 90 minutes before
the offense got rolling during the final hour under warm but windy conditions.
"The first half of the scrimmage was really ugly,"
said freshman quarterback Brandon Hance. "I did a poor job and the offense
did poorly as a unit. The defense came out ready to go and we didn't.
But as the day went on, we gained more confidence and felt more comfortable."
For the first hour and a half, the longest play
from scrimmage was a 43-yard pass from third-team quarterback Carl Buergler
to tight end Matt Holbrook. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Antwaun Rogers,
who is bidding to start at right cornerback, came up with two interceptions,
and senior defensive tackle Matt Mitrione had a sack for a safety.
"I thought our defense played extremely well early,
the way we thought we could play," said Coach Joe Tiller. "I hope we
learn something from this. We didn't play with intensity late.
"To the offense's credit, they came alive and did
some good things in their last two drives, plus in the red zone. It
was unbelievable. We've never had that happen in the red zone before."
The first touchdown was a 5-yard run by junior
Montrell Lowe. On the next series, Hance hit sophomore John Standeford
on a 44-yard touchdown. Then in consecutive red zone trips, Hance hit
Standeford for a 7-yard touchdown, sophomore Andre Henderson for a 13-yard
TD, Standeford for a 25-yard TD and Taylor Stubblefield for a 25-yard
TD.
Hance's final numbers were 27 of 47 for 310 yards
with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He was 6 of 6 for 99 yards
in the red zone.
"His numbers could have been even better had we
not had some dropped balls on passes that were right on the body," said
Tiller. "Brandon is coming along and will continue to improve. Today
was a good first test."
Stubblefield led all receivers with 10 catches
for 120 yards, while Standeford had five catches for 100 yards.
"I think I benefited from some of the play calling
today," said Stubblefield. "I know Brandon will hit whoever is open.
Maybe the play calling was set up for me to get open a little easier.
A couple of times I was the first option."
Junior Sedrick Brown was the leading ground gainer
on the day with 111 yards on 12 carries, including a 70-yard touchdown
scamper.
Overall in the red zone, Purdue quarterbacks were
11 of 13 for 104 yards in eight possessions. The offense scored seven
touchdowns to go with a 31-yard field goal by backup kicker Quinton
Owens.
On the other hand, defensive coordinator Brock
Spack said the red zone defense was a "disaster."
"We didn't have any red zone defense yet this spring,
so we just played base defense," said Spack. "But that doesn't matter.
If the defense had executed, they would have been just fine. They didn't,
so they got their butts kicked."
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Defense
dominates scrimmage
Boilers
use spring invitational to gauge soccer team's talent
Team
remains winless in Big Ten
Boilers
extend winning streak
Team
performs well, fails to win
Softball
team loses three of four
Track
team sets record
for split medley relay
Team
earns seventh place
after second day of tournament
Tennis
team falls
on road
SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 251
Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki
Assistant sports
editor:
Anne
McLaren
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
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