SMU's scrimmage report

[MustangFan]

Second Spring Scrimmage in the Books

150-Play Workout Held in Rain, Cold

DALLAS, TEXAS -- The SMU football team continued spring practice with a 150-play scrimmage on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The offense scored five touchdowns and kicked two field goals in the two-and-a-half hour workout. The defense also got on the board with a touchdown.

"I was encouraged by our enthusiasm and intensity," said Mustang head coach Phil Bennett. "We showed improvement and that is what I am looking for. The elements (rain, cold, wind) made it tough but we need to fight through that. We might have to play in conditions like that in the fall."

The defense got on the board first when Jonas Rutledge, who scored three touchdowns during the 2001 season, picked off a Kelan Luker pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown. Luker later found ShanDerrick Charles with a 20-yard TD pass. The Mustang running game produced four touchdowns. Richard Bartel scored on a 16-yard bootleg, Keylon Kincade scored from five yards out, walk-on Keith Williams went 23 yards for a TD and Earl Morris scored on a one-yard run.

Chris McMurtray added field goals from 33 and 37 yards and was four-of-four on extra points.

"McMurtray really did a good job today," said Bennett. "He was perfect and has had a good spring. He really has a strong leg."

Luker completed 11-of-15 passes for 185 yards and connected with Chris Cunningham for a 77-yard pass, the longest play of the day. Luker suffered a jammed neck midway through the workout and did not return. Cunningham finished with four receptions for 113 yards. Charles led all runners with 53 yards on 15 carries.

Defensively, end Melvin Williams had a big day. The sophomore had two sacks and recovered a fumble.

"Melvin has really come on the last week or so," said Bennett. "He can get to the quarterback and is around the ball a lot. He had a great day today."

Derek Swofford, D.D. Johnson and Allan Adami also had fumble recoveries. Kevin Garrett added an interception and Vic Viloria and Alvin Nnabuife also recorded sacks.

SMU will finish up spring drills this week, practicing Monday, Thursday and Friday. The annual Red and Blue Game brings spring practice to a close next Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Ford Stadium.

SCORING SUMMARY
Jonas Rutledge 97 interception return (No PAT attempted)
Richard Bartel 16 run (No PAT attempted)
ShanDerrick Charles 20 pass from Kelan Luker (McMurtray kick)
Chris McMurtray 33 FG
Keylon Kincade 5 run (McMurtray kick)
McMurtray 37 FG
Keith Williams 23 run (McMurtray kick)
Morris 1 run (McMurtray kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- Keylon Kincade 22-38, ShanDerrick Charles 15-53, Kris Briggs 6-12, Earl Morris 5-21, Keith Williams 6-44, Kelan Luker 7-(-6), Tate Wallis 9-11, Richard Bartel 5-40
Passing -- Luker 11-15-186, Wallis 4-14-45, Bartel 3-8-35
Receiving -- Chris Cunningham 4-113, Jay Taylor 3-30, Cody Cardwell 3-20, Kincade 2-29, Billy Ford 2-14, Charles 1-20, John Hampton 1-9, Cedric Vinson 1-9, Rob Prestus 1-25