Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Football Scrimmage #2 Recap
8/23/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 23, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - With the season opener against Duquesne just two weeks away, Bucknell head football coach Tim Landis gave the Bison players another chance to test themselves in game-like conditions on Saturday when the squad had its second scrimmage of preseason camp. The team had its first scrimmage last Saturday.
On another sunny day in Central Pennsylvania officials were brought in and the team scrimmaged for approximately 90 minutes on the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium turf.
“The execution was much better this week,” commented Landis when comparing the two scrimmages of preseason camp. “We did some nice things, but I would still like to see us reduce our penalties.”
The first half of the controlled scrimmage featured the offense starting drives on the 30-yard line and trying to move the ball down the field against the Bison defense. The first team offense faced the first team defense, while the second team offense went against the second team defense.
Early in the session QB Marcello Trigg impressed. He connected with WR Shaun Pasternak on a 43-yard pass that set up a 20-yard field goal by K Will Carney. Later, Trigg lofted a 32-yard touchdown pass to Pasternak after dodging a couple of defenders in the backfield.
While Trigg had a solid day, all seven quarterbacks on the roster saw action during the scrimmage.
DB Brandon Simmons made a couple of noticeable defensive plays during the first half of the scrimmage. He nearly picked off one of Trigg's passes that brought some excitement to the defense. He also made a solid tackle on RB Justin Pulgrano during the fourth series that brought cheers from the half of the team dressed in blue jerseys.
Just prior to a 10-minute “halftime” break, the special teams unit was called onto the field. Punters Phil Azarik and Andrew Bell each punted twice with solid results. Bell's second boot went better than 40 yards, while Azarik, who broke the Bucknell single-season punting record last season, was his normal consistent self. They again got a chance to punt at the conclusion of the scrimmage.
The second half of the scrimmage featured more scenarios. At first, the offense took control of the ball inside its own 5-yard line and had to work its way out. The Bison defense was strong during this segment. The squad then worked on Red Zone situations and two-minute drills before concluding practice shortly before 5 p.m.
Some highlights from the second half of the scrimmage: RB Kevin Mullen was effective running the ball up the middle … Trigg ran for a 2-yard touchdown on an option play … K Drew Orth converted the extra point … RB Brandon Besant had back-to-back solid runs, including one of nearly 15 yards … DL Carson Rohrbaugh had a sack of QB David Noshay … DB Bryce Robertson recorded an interception … LB Marques Morgan and DL Robert De La Rosa each had a sack.
Nearly 80 plays total were run in the scrimmage.
The Bison will be back on the field Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. for their 19th practice of preseason camp. With Monday scheduled as an off day, the team will go more than 48 hours between Sunday's session and Tuesday's 2:30 practice. The entire freshman class arrived at Bucknell on Friday, meaning the football freshmen have some additional responsibilities this weekend. The arrival of upperclassmen will begin this week as the university prepares for fall semester classes to begin on Wednesday.
