from SMU Athletic Dept.: Run Game Solid in Scrimmage

[MrMustang1965]

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU football team displayed a great run game and solid defense in its open scrimmage on Saturday, August 19.

Running backs DeMyron Martin, James Mapps, Cedrick Dorsey and Johnnie Fitzgerald all looked solid taking turns with the first team and freshman Chris Butler had the long play of the night, busting through for a 75-yard TD run in the closing moments of the scrimmage. Martin had just five carries for 23 yards, but made a great catch on a 20-yard TD pass. Mapps was tremendous, rushing for 85 yards on just 10 carries, while Dorsey added 34 yards on 10 rushes. Johnnie Fitzgerald slashed through the line for a 10-yard scoring run and finished with 11 yards on eight carries.

"We have a lot of options at running back," said SMU head coach Phil Bennett.

Quarterbacks Justin Willis and Corey Slater were up and down, with each leading the squad on scoring drives but also throwing interceptions on the night. Willis finished 16-of-23 for 156 yards with a pick, while Slater was 8-of-17 for 91 yards with a TD pass and two INTs.

Blake Warren led all receivers with six grabs for 59 yards, while Reynaldo Pellerin hauled in four balls for 17 yards. Freshmen Emmanuel Sanders and Zach Zimmerman were also impressive, as Sanders had four grabs for 31 yards and Zimmerman added three catches for 20.

Defensively, Reggie Carrington picked off a pass and returned it 25 yards for a score, while Bryan McCann and Victor Makinde also added picks for the SMU defense.

On special teams, Thomas Morstead was 4-of-5 on field goal attempts, hitting twice from 47, once from 37 and once from 20. He missed a second attempt from 37. Kellis Cunningham was 3-of-3 on three-point tries, hitting twice from 37 and once from 42. Morstead also had a solid night punting, booting three balls for a 58.3 yard average.

SMU continues practice this week in preparation for its season opener on Sept. 2 in Lubbock.