TERRE HAUTE, IN - (8/21/2003) — The
Indiana State coaching staff got their final look at the 2003 squad in a
scrimmage situation before the team heads to Muncie, Ind., one week from tonight
for a 7:00 p.m. season opener against Ball State. ISU dropped a close 23-21
decision to the Cardinals last season.
ISU’s first team offense took the field to start the scrimmage, led by
redshirt freshman starting quarterback Jake Schiff. He went on to complete six
passes in limited work on the evening with the White team’s first drive being
capped by a two-yard Jake Shields’ scamper just three minutes and fifty
seconds into the game.
The rest of the evening belonged to backups Phillip Johnson and Damien
Cunningham who engineered scoring drives on the White team’s next three
possessions. Junior Sidney Montfort scored on two of those drives with runs of
13 and six yards to give the White team a commanding 21-0 lead.
The White squad was able to take advantage of a Blue turnover early in the
second quarter as Cunningham hooked up with James Braden for a 36-yard pitch and
catch, moving the White advantage to 28-0.
The scoring was capped on the last play from scrimmage when senior Ben Thompkins
motored 20 yards for a score, to give White a 35-0 win.
Play on the Blue squad was led by freshman Ben Schmidt was 7 of 18 passing for
108 yards including a 41-yard completion to fellow freshman Steve Daniel.
Schmidt also ran the ball seven times for nine yards. Daniel was the leading
receiver for both squads in the game with four catches for 90 yards.
In special teams, Pat Jordan punted twice for a 34-yards average with a long of
40. Freshman Vincent Mason returned two kickoffs for a 53 yards including a long
of 36 yards.
Defensively, Jamal Brown, Clythel Branson and Kyle James all intercepted passes
for the White squad. James nearly returned his for a touchdown, pulling in a
Schmidt pass intending for Daniel at his own two-yard line before racing down to
the Blue’s 36-yard line.
The lone sack of the evening went to the White’s Ryan Holley, who continues to
play strong on the defensive line for the Sycamores during preseason camp.
COMPLETE
GAME STATISTICS
Earlier in the day, Indiana State football head coach Tim McGuire
announced that the team has elected its 2003 captains.
On offense, the Sycamores selected senior tight end Ryan King as well as senior
offensive lineman Matt Griebel. King, a 2003 all-Gateway First Team preseason
selection is the team’s leading returning receiver with 23 catches in 2002.
Griebel is coming off a season in which he anchored one of the most productive
offensive lines in school history.
Defensively, ISU chose senior defensive back Larry Thompson and senior
cornerback Clythel Branson. Thompson, who transferred into the program a year
ago, started two games last season while playing in all 12 as a free safety.
Branson, had a solid season in 2002, recording 62 total tackles, including three
for losses.
The Indiana State University Sycamores 2003
season opener is at Muncie, Indiana versus the Ball State Cardinals Thursday,
Aug. 28. USA-365.com provides live Internet audio streaming with Brian Fritz
providing the play-by-play and Ben Wagner with the color commentary. The
pre-game show starts at 6:40 p.m., with the kick-off set for 7:00 p.m., CDT on www.USA-365.com.
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2003 USA-365.com and Meyer
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Revised: June 08, 2004
.