.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Orgeron Pleased With Quarterback Play In First Spring Scrimmage
3/12/2005 | Football
March 12, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss football team suited up in full pads for the second time in as many days on Saturday, and took part in their first full scrimmage of the 2005 spring season. Ole Miss head football coach Ed Orgeron saw several positives in the Rebels' first scrimmage, most notably with his crew of quarterbacks.
"I thought the offense moved the ball very well today," said Orgeron. "I was really pleased with Micheal Spurlock and his play-making ability. The quarterbacks were live today and his scrambling ability showed."
The scrimmage lasted 88 plays with Spurlock, a senior, taking the majority of the snaps as he was behind center for 47 plays. He completed 8-of-16 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 19 yards on three carries. Sophomore Robert Lane took 26 snaps and completed 3-of-8 passes for 43 yards.
The Rebel running game was led by junior Jamal Pittman, who had a team leading 16 rushes for 107 yards. Pittman had four carries of 10 or more yards with a long of 20. He credited his number of consecutive carries for his team-leading output.
"I felt great out there today," said Pittman. "This was the first time since I arrived at Ole Miss that I was able to get in a rhythm out on the field. I am in the best shape of my life and everything is feeling really good."
Junior Matt Pierce had an outstanding day both rushing and receiving. Pierce took two hand-offs and tallied 52 yards and one touchdown on the ground. He also caught a team-leading three passes for 43 yards. Senior Vashon Pearson had 10 carries for 39 yards, while Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis, a transfer from Indiana, had nine carries for 33 yards and one touchdown.
Sophomore Carlos Suggs caught two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown, while seniors Mike Espy and Taye Biddle each caught two passes for 20 yards, with Espy scoring one touchdown.
The receiving game was highlighted by a 60-yard reception by senior Larry Kendrick from redshirt-freshman quarterback Will Ducey on the last play of the scrimmage. Kendrick made a nice move on the defender to get 45 yards after the catch.
Although he was pleased with the offensive performance on the afternoon, Orgeron had mixed reviews for the Rebel defense.
"At times the defense looked really good," said Orgeron. "We played basic defense all day. We didn't blitz and we didn't stunt, we just wanted to play fundamental football. It went about how I expected it to go. We put the defense at a disadvantage today by just playing our base defense, but it is good for us to play fundamental football."
Orgeron was pleased overall with the defense's effort but noted that the defensive line and linebackers need to step up their play.
"I don't think the first-string defensive line played up to their capabilities," added Orgeron. "I think they were tired. (Michael) Bozeman played fine, but I was disappointed in the performance of our other defensive lineman. Patrick Willis really played well at linebacker, but we've got some questions at our other linebacker positions."
The Rebels will take a week off as they scatter for spring break, before returning for their final 11 practices of the spring season in the following three weeks. Ole Miss will conclude spring drills on April 9th with the annual Red-Blue Grove Bowl.
Orgeron thought the players should be able to enjoy their spring break after working hard the first week of the spring season.
"Overall, I'm really pleased with the intensity and the focus of the team throughout the first four days," said Orgeron. "They've been four outstanding days of football. Were building a foundation. That is what I wanted to get done this week, and were doing it."
