Cards find some more playmakers

[bullwark]

Cards find some more playmakers

Spillman, Guy, Turenne flashy in scrimmage

By Brian Bennett

bbennett@courier-journal.com

The Courier-Journal

University of Louisville football fans got an extra chance to see their team before its Aug. 30 opener last night, while head coach Steve Kragthorpe got to see how some of his guys would respond to a game-like setting.

The Cardinals went through a 100-minute, 87-snap scrimmage at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Kragthorpe announced Thursday night that the scrimmage would be open to the public, and more than 5,000 fans turned out.

 

"It was good to get some tails in the seats and let our fans see our new players and players that have to step up for us this year," he said.

Kragthorpe said he was looking to find more playmakers during the scrimmage, and it appears that some have been unearthed.

Star wide receiver Harry Douglas didn't play except to hold on kicks, so JaJuan Spillman got the start. The sophomore caught two passes for 40 yards and was targeted frequently by quarterback Brian Brohm.

"He's really picking things up," said Brohm, who was 11 of 22 for 173 yards and two touchdowns. "He's a fast kid who can make a lot of plays for us."

Sophomore Trent Guy, who rivals Spillman as the team's fastest player, also made his presence known on the second-team offense. On his first snap, he took a reverse 70 yards for a touchdown.

On defense, cornerback Woodny Turenne turned the most heads. The junior-college transfer, who joined the team Aug. 3, caused several incompletions and drew a roar from the crowd when he knocked away a pass in the end zone intended for Mario Urrutia.

"You could see the acceleration and catchup speed there," Kragthorpe said. "He got a little turned around, but he was still able to put his foot in the ground, redirect himself and make a play on the football. And that was against a pretty good football player."

The team's true freshmen even got to play one series. Quarterback Matt Simms found Josh Chichester for a 30-yard gain, but the offense was stopped on four plays inside the 4-yard line.

"It was fun to see those guys' eyes," Kragthorpe said. "They've never been on a college football field, so we wanted to indoctrinate them a little bit."

Some returning players also drew praise from their coach. He singled out tight end Gary Barnidge, who caught an 8-yard scoring pass, and Anthony Allen, who carried 13 times for 55 yards as the starting tailback.

The Cardinals made several mistakes, including a handful of holding penalties and two blocked field-goal attempts, but Kragthorpe said he was pleased with the effort overall.

"We're close to being a finished product," he said. "But the difference between 90 percent and 100 percent is a long ways."

Kragthorpe said both Douglas and cornerback Rod Council, who have been nursing minor injuries, could have played, but he wanted to see how others performed in their spots.

Linebacker Willie A. Williams was not at the scrimmage. Kragthorpe said the junior-college transfer had the flu and was ordered to stay home.

Brian Bennett can be reached at (502) 582-7177.

[bulls96go]

another must win revenge game for usf