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Defense
prevails at scrimmage Head football coach Gary Patterson has said throughout the spring season that there will be a lot of competition for four of the five starting offensive line positions. But Saturday, it appeared as though TCU’s spring football practices are producing more competition between the offensive and defensive players than between players striving to start at any one position. Despite scoring only one touchdown in 12 attempts during the goal-line drill, sophomore quarterback Casey Printers and sophomore wide receiver LaTarence Dunbar stood among the defensive players’ huddle and taunted them. Printers and Dunbar told the defensive players that the offense was just warming up. Their words were almost prophetic as three series into the scrimmage, the offense began to move the ball at will. The highlight of the third series was when Printers, who was facing a fourth down, kept the ball on an option to pick up the first down. The first score of the scrimmage came on a 40-yard strike from Printers to freshman tight end Stanley Moss. The second string offense scored on the following series as junior quarterback Sean Stilley connected with freshman tailback Chris Connally for a 34-yard touchdown. Throughout the scrimmage, the defensive front was able to shut down the running game. But Printers and Stilley were successful in the passing game, completing more than 50 percent of their passes. Hayes-Stoker injures his knee Junior tailback Andrew Hayes-Stoker strained his right knee on the first play of the scrimmage Saturday. Patterson said Hayes-Stoker, who complained that the knee had gone numb, went to the doctor Monday to undergo an MRI, but the results have not been released. Unable to put any pressure on his right leg, Hayes-Stoker was helped from the field. Although no one would blame the offensive’s weak running game on the Hayes-Stoker injury, the team’s recognition of his importance to the offense was evident. During
the scrimmage, more than 20 players and coaches stopped by the trainer’s
table to check on Hayes-Stoker’s condition. Veterans teach the young Amid the coaches’ yells and jeers, junior safety Charlie Owens stood calmly at midfield talking to freshman defensive back Chris Peoples. After Peoples missed an assignment in coverage, Owens instructed him on a better technique. With only nine of 23 offensive and defensive starters returning for the Frogs, coaches said they hope more veterans will help the younger players adjust to college football. Blast from the past Former football players LaDainian Tomlinson, Aaron Schobel and Curtis Fuller were among the 64 fans in attendance at Amon Carter Stadium for Saturday’s scrimmage. Tomlinson and Schobel are projected to be drafted in the NFL’s first five rounds April 21-22. Fuller, who may be forced to move from his college position of safety to the cornerback position in the NFL, is projected by most NFL scouts to be a non-roster invitee to an NFL training camp. Mental game takes physical toll Dunbar and junior defensive tackle John Turntine got into a brief scuffle during the final series of the scrimmage. Dunbar, who had been talking trash to the defensive players throughout the scrimmage, completed a block, which brought Turntine to the ground. Turntine rolled over and shoved Dunbar. The two exchanged several pushes before players separated them. Patterson made Turntine sit out the next play. Rusty
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