Football Has First Scrimmage of Spring

April 9, 2011

Video Links Schnellenberger following spring 2011 scrimmage 1
Milstead following first 2011 Spring Scrimmage Wilbert following first 2011 Spring Scrimmage

BOCA RATON, FL- The defense and offense both had good spurts of play but it was the defense that prevailed in the first scrimmage of the spring season for the Florida Atlantic University's football team. The defense's pressure was too much for the offense to handle scoring 14 more points than the offense in a 38-24 victory. The two teams played 100 plays in the modified scoring game that awards the defense one point for each drive stop, three points for forcing a turnover and six for scoring. The offense scores in the traditional fashion but has three plays to move the ball 10 yards, rather than four, until they are inside the defense's 40. At that point, the offense has four downs to move the chains.

Offense started with the ball as red-shirt junior, David Kooi began the scrimmage taking snaps from center Jimmie Colley. The first string offense played the first 13 plays of the game with Kooi finding his rhythm quickly to connect with Marcus Cunningham on a long pass within the first few snaps of the day. Kooi also found running back Alfred Morris but none of the combinations produced any points before quarterback Graham Wilbert came in and took control of the offense.

Wilbert was 14-23-0 on the day for 119 yards, helping to produce the most points of the quarterbacks for the offense with a short pass to running back Xavier Stinson who ran the ball into the end zone, completing a 26-yard long pass to Cunningham for a touchdown and handing the ball off to Damian Fortner who found the end zone on a 6 yard run.

Stephen Curtis saw some brief time behind center, Jordan Sessa, as he finished out the first half of the scrimmage handing the ball off to fullback Patrick Leonardo and running back Frank Thompson. Curtis also got to stretch his arm connecting with DeAndre Robinson down the field on a long pass. Curtis went 3-5-1 for 28 yards on the day.

Wilbert returned as the quarterback after half time to stay on the field for 25 plays in a row. Wilbert looked comfortable in the pocket hitting tight end Nexon Dorvilus twice. Xavier Stinson also got in rhythm in the second half taking handoffs from Wilbert.

Before Kooi finished off the scrimmage (4-11-1, 62 yards) at quarterback, red shirt freshman Nick Bracewell got a chance to call out the cadence on the field. Bracewell who threw for 23 yards and went 2-5-1 found running back Travis Jones on numerous plays. Jones gained some points on the ground for the offense after running the ball 29 yards into the end zone which concluded the scoring on they day for the offense.

Although the offense seemed to be connecting and moving the chains, it wasn't enough to hold back the defense that highlighted the scrimmage. The high pressure on the offense began right away with a sack on quarterback Kooi only a few plays into the scrimmage. This sack set the pace for the defense as there were nine total sacks throughout the day.

Interceptions by defensive back Tony Rodriguez, line backer Randell Johnson and redshirt freshman Christian Milstead helped the defense take charge of the game, while junior linebacker David Hinds and Stinson had key fumble recoveries for the defense that pushed the them ahead of the offense to win the scrimmage.

Next week the Owls will have open practices on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the public and another scrimmage Saturday which the time is still to be determined.

The Owls will open the 2011 campaign at the University of Florida, September 3, 2011. The Owls will run into their new on-campus stadium October 15, 2011. To purchase tickets, at a reduced rate prior to May 6, visit www.faustadium.com or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS. The site features a webcam that showcases the stadium's construction progress and also has an interactive seat location feature.

Spring 2011 Scrimmage #1

Defense 38, Offense 24

Passing

David Kooi: 4-11-1, 62 yards

Graham Wilbert: 14-23-0, 119 yards, 6-yard TD to Xavier Stinson, 26-yard TD to Marcus Cunningham

Stephen Curtis: 3-5-1, 28 yards

Nick Bracewell: 2-5-1, 23 yards

Travis Jones: 0-1-0

Total: 23-56-3, 232 yards, 2 TDs

Receiving

Paul Moore: 2-4

Darian Williams: 1-6