April 5, 2008

BOCA RATON, FL - Florida Atlantic University's football team entered the spring with three scrimmages scheduled. The defense came away with scrimmage no. 1, 26-6, and will return to the field on Monday knowing the offense will prepare to take scrimmage no. 2 scheduled for 2 p.m., April 12 at the Tom Oxley Practice Fields.

More than 100 plays were snapped with much of the work going to the second and third string units. The defensive line lost Daniel Joseph early in the day to a possible head or neck injury, but continued to apply pressure forcing the quarterbacks to run seven times, recording two sacks and batting down three passes.

"The defense was explosive," said Howard Schnellenberger, FAU's head coach. "The offense encouraged it by not being able to snap the ball. The defensive line and the linebackers did well. It's ok. It's the first scrimmage and we have ample time."

Jeff VanKamp came away with the majority of snaps under center. The redshirt freshman was 9-19-1, for 121 yards on the day. Redshirt Sophomore Rusty Smith connected with tight end Jamari Grant for the offense's lone score.

The defense also had two interceptions, one by redshirt freshman Jason Haynes who saved a score and scampered nearly 25 yards.

The scoring system is a modified system where the offense scores in a traditional fashion. The drive begins at the offensive 40. The offense has just three downs to move the chains. Once they reach the 20 the offense has four downs to move the chains. The defense earns a point for each stop, three points for stopping inside the 20 or take away and can also score in the traditional fashion with a touchdown.

FAU will return to the practice field Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this week, all scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The squad is also schedule to scrimmage Saturday at 2 p.m. All practices and scrimmages are free and open to the public.

2008 Scrimmage #1
Defense 26, Offense 6

Passing: 15-33-2, 158 yards, 1 TD
Rusty Smith: 3-8-0, 20 yards, 1 TD (excludes first drive)
Jeff VanKamp: 9-19-1, 121 yards
Robert Noland: 3-6-1, 17 yards

Receiving: 15-158 yards, 1 TD
Alfred Morris: 2-8 yards
Jason Harmon: 2-21 yards
Chad Wilkes: 5-95 yards
David Muniz: 1-7 yards
Lester Jean: 2-8 yards
Jamari Grant: 3-19 yards, 1 td

Rushing: 39-59 yards
Jeff Blanchard: 4-11 yards
David Muniz: 6-24 yards
Avionne Rolle: 9-4 yards
Alfred Morris: 3-1 yard
Charles Pierre: 3-1 yard
William Rose: 2-6 yards
DiIvory Edgecomb: 5-34 yards
Robert Nolin: 2- -1
Jeff VanKamp: 5- -21