Saturday scrimmage report

NOTES

The Seminoles reached the halfway point of spring practice and held their first full scrimmage on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium. The offense started out strong in the first series as Drew Weatherford hit Greg Carr for a 28-yard gain and Antone Smith later found the endzone on a 37-yard run. The defense responded though and held the offense in check for the most part for the remainder of the regular scrimmaging. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons led the defense with six tackles (one for loss) and a forced fumble. Defensive tackle Letroy Guion was also impressive, recording four total tackles for loss including two sacks. Defensive end Alex Boston added four tackles for loss as well with one sack. Safety Myron Rolle also had four tackles (two for loss). Smith paced the offense with 51 yards rushing on just four attempts. Russell Ball carried five times for 37 yards and Lorenzo Booker added 31 yards on eight attempts. The Seminoles focused most of the scrimmage on the running game as Weatherford went 2-of-6 for 43 yards. Walk-on quarterback Jared Whipkey had the only other touchdown, running for a 36-yard score.

Timmons received the "Big Stick" award by defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews for the second straight practice for his hit of fullback Joe Surratt at the goalline which forced a fumble. Usually given after games in the fall, Andrews broke out the "Big Stick" for the first time in the spring and gave it to Timmons following a big hit in Friday's practice. It will reside in Timmons' locker until the coaches see another hit this spring worthy of the honor.

The offense finished 4-of-8 in goalline to end the practice. Scores came from Jamaal Edwards (three yards), Surratt (one yard) and Pat Davis (three yards, one yard).

The Seminoles will return to practice Monday afternoon.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH BOBBY BOWDEN

(thoughts on the scrimmage overall)

"One thing is that we definitely have improved in our first half of spring training. Today was the middle point, so we have another half to go, but you can tell the difference between today and the first scrimmage we had. The key now is if we can improve in the next seven days like we did between day one and today. We must continue to improve."

(on the offense scoring on the first possession)

"It scared me at first when our offense scored the first time they had the ball there on that first series. It's one of those things where it's good, but to see your defense go down, that's not good. The defense really tightened up after that."

(on the impressive play of linebacker Lawrence Timmons)

"He [Timmons] has been that way all spring. Every time I see a collision out there I look around to see if No. 83 is out there and it's usually him."

QUOTE FROM RUNNING BACK LORENZO BOOKER

(on the running game)

"We struggled a little bit getting the running game going and I think part of that has to do with it being more of a defensive day. It seemed like every time we went to run it in there, we were running into a blitz. We go against those guys everyday so they are starting to get an idea of what's coming."

QUOTE FROM LINEBACKER BUSTER DAVIS

(on the defense's scrimmage mentality)

"It's always a pride thing to beat up on the offense. But it's also a team pride thing because of the competition; whether it's two-a-days, spring practice, or fall, you always want to compete because you're going to make yourself better."