April 15, 2007
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said today's 101-play scrimmage saw "some good things and some bad things." But, he added, "we're pleased with where we are at this point." The scrimmage was part of the seventh practice of the spring football practice session that will conclude with the Spring Game on Saturday, April 28 at Stanford Stadium. A large crowd lined the Elliott Practice Fields to watch the two-hour scrimmage, which was highlighted by four offensive touchdowns.
Following 30 minutes of warm up drills, the Cardinal began its first full scrimmage of the spring, which included 11 series' and special teams play. Stanford's offense scored four touchdowns, three coming on pass plays from quarterback T.C. Ostrander.
"I thought we had too many penalties on offense and too many missed tackles on defense," said Harbaugh. "We just need to come together as a team, trust in the schemes on offense and defense, and just play football."
Ostrander, who played five of the 11 series, completed 22-of-30 for 265 yards with two interceptions and three touchdowns. His touchdowns came on a five-yard pass to fullback Emeka Nnoli, a 10-yard pass down the middle to receiver Michael Miller, and a 46-yard pass play to converted tight end Ben Ladner.
"I thought all three quarterbacks played well today," said Harbaugh. "T.C. did a very good job. There were no mental errors by the quarterbacks. The only time our drives stalled were due to penalties and one fumble."
The first drive of the scrimmage saw the number one offense move the ball against the number one defense from its own 35 to the 10-yard line. But, an offsides penalty and a fumble ended the series without a score. Running back Anthony Kimble, who had eight carries for 30 yards in his two series' of action, fumbled at the 15-yard line after a hard hit by safety Bo McNally.
The second series, which pitted the second offense vs. the second defense, again ended without a score. The offense drove to the 10-yard line, but three running plays by Jason Evans left the ball as the four-yard line. Earlier in the drive, an impressive 35-yard touchdown pass from Tavita Pritchard to Austin Gunder was called back due to penalty.
The offense scored touchdowns on the next two series. Ostrander, who completed five-of-six passes for 43 yards in the next series, was intercepted by Nick Sanchez on the third play of the drive. Nine plays later, however, he connected with Emeka Nnoli on a five-yard TD scoring play. Miller caught three passes for 29 yards in the series.
Alex Loukas led the Cardinal on a TD drive on the following series. Loukas completed two of four passes for 33 yards and scored the touchdown on a one-yard QB sneak on the ninth play of the drive. The big play in series was a 27-yard pass play from Loukas to Ladner.
The third TD of the scrimmage came on an eight-play, 65-yard drive the culminating on a 10-yard pass from Ostrander to Miller. Receiver Richard Sherman, who had five catches for 59 yards, provided the big play of the drive as he caught a 23-yard pass from Ostrander on a third-and-19 play. On the ensuing play, WR Mark Bradford raced 25 yards on a reverse play to put to offense on the nine yard line..
The final touchdown came on the ninth series of the scrimmage when Ostrander quickly moved his team 65-yards on just three plays. Ostrander hooked up with tight end Jim Dray on consecutive completions of 11 and eight yards. That was followed by Ladner's 46-yard catch and run to the end zone.
Loukas finished the scrimmage seven-of-14 for 81 yards while Pritchard was four of nine for 54 yards. Evans and redshirt freshman Tyrone McGraw each had 51 yards rushing while Miller and Sherman led the way with five receptions apiece. Dray had four catches for 47 yards, Marcus Rance had three catches for 43 yards and Stephen Carr caught three balls for 32 yards.
Stanford will practice three times this week: Tuesday and Thursday, April 17 and 19, from 4:00-6:30 pm and Saturday, April 21 from 11:00-1:45 pm in Stanford Stadium. The Alumni Flag Football game will be played on Saturday beginning at 10:15 am.