Bucknell University Athletics
Landis Pleased Following First Intrasquad Scrimmage of Preseason
8/16/2003 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 16, 2003
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LANDIS PLEASED FOLLOWING FIRST INTRASQUAD SCRIMMAGE
Bucknell's first-team offense and defense both turned in promising performances in Bucknell's first intrasquad scrimmage of the 2003 preseason camp on Saturday. Both first-string units saw approximately 35 plays apiece, and after a few early penalties, both were relatively mistake-free.
"We got a lot out of the scrimmage," noted head coach Tim Landis. "Everybody got a look on the field, and I think we have some good film to go back and take a look at tonight. The execution on offense was good. I thought both the offense and defense did a good job making adjustments as the scrimmage went on, and at times we were very crisp."
WILSON LEADS OFFENSE TO THREE SCORES
Junior QB Daris Wilson (Kenner, La./Archbishop Rummel) led the first-team offense on three long touchdown drives in three possessions against the scout defense. Wilson capped the first set with a 20-yard TD run with sophomore K Ryan Bower (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville Area) adding the point-after. The second series began with a bang, as Wilson connected with sophomore RB Blamah Sarnor (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area) on a 23-yard pass, then freshman RB Ed Cortez (Reno, Nev./Robert McQueen) slipped into the deep secondary and drew a pass interference penalty, and Cortez ran 42 yards on the following play to get the offense into the red zone. Three plays later, RB Raphael Darrington (Mobile, Ala./Williamson) scored on a 17-yard run.
Wilson's 27-yard scamper highlighted the third offensive series, and backup QB John Henry Jackson (Orange, Calif./Villa Park) completed the drive with a 1-yard TD dive.
Most importantly, the first-string offense had no turnovers and did not put the ball on the ground once.
"Daris really did a nice job taking care of the football, and he made good decisions," said Landis. "That is the first key for him. He really handled the mental part very well today."
FIRST DEFENSE TURNS IN ROCK-SOLID PERFORMANCE
Defensively, the Bison first-teamers did not allow a play longer than six yards against the scout-team offense, and kept them out of the end zone. An early pass interference call marked the only first down against them in their first two defensive possessions.
Landis singled out the defensive line as having a particularly strong performance, led by junior DL Corey Mayo (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area) inside and sophomore DL Brandon Bailey (Newark, Del./Glasgow) on the end.
A pair of local products in sophomore DL Andrew Decker (Berwick, Pa./Berwick Area) and freshman LB Stephen Matzura (Kulpmont, Pa./Mount Carmel) were very active with the second-team group, making several tackles each. Decker has shifted from linebacker to defensive line. Junior LB Jeffrey Montagna (Pittston, Pa./Pittston Area) recorded a sack, while junior DB Fareed Ali (Lithonia, Ga./McNair) and junior DB Joe Glenn (New Haven, Conn./East Haven) added interceptions.
MIDWAY POINT OF PRESEASON ARRIVES
Saturday's scrimmage marked the midway point of the 2003 preseason camp, and Landis is pleased with his team's progress thus far. Following Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, he indicated that the Bison will now begin narrow their focus more closely on Duquesne - their first opponent on August 30.
"Whenever we get the chance to have two full weeks to prepare for an opponent, we will take advantage of it," said Landis.
The August 30 opener marks Bucknell's earliest contest in school history.
BISON LIVE! AND LEWISBURG TOUCHDOWN CLUB LUNCHEONS TO CONTINUE IN 2003
Once again this fall the Bison football squad will participate in the weekly lunch meetings of the Lewisburg Touchdown Club, as well as the Bison Live! radio program. The Lewisburg Touchdown Club will again meet at 11:45 a.m. the Lewisburg Hotel on Tuesday's throughout the season, beginning on August 26. Two days later - Thursday, August 28 - will be the first installment of the third season of Bison Live!, an interactive radio program broadcast live each Thursday throughout the year. The program has a new location this year - also the Lewisburg Hotel on Market Street in downtown Lewisburg - and will feature weekly reports from Landis and his student-athletes, along with players and coaches from an array of Bucknell teams. Members of the live audience may contribute questions and win prizes throughout the evening. Bison Live! runs from 7-8 p.m. each Thursday.
NEXT SCRIMMAGE SET FOR AUG. 23
Saturday, August 23 (3:15 p.m.) marks Bucknell's second and final formal intrasquad scrimmage of the season. While the initial scrimmage was held on the grass practice field adjacent to Christy-Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, the August 23 scrimmage will be played on the FieldTurf inside the stadium. A conflict with the Cavalcade of Bands - a local high school marching band event - prevented use of the stadium on Saturday.
