Memphis’ annual Blue-Gray Scrimmage will give Tiger pigskin fans a welcome sign that the 2002 college football season is fast approaching.
This Saturday, the Tigers’ offensive starters will scrimmage against the Tigers’ defensive starters to work out some kinks before the season-opener five months from now. Head coach Tommy West said the scrimmage, which will close out 15 days of spring practice, should give the coaching staff a chance to evaluate the players in front of a crowd.
“We’ll get a chance to see how they perform in front of people,” West said. “I’ll see who can limit mistakes and who can make plays.”
West said his team has performed well in spring practice so far because it’s maintained the right frame of mind.
“We have made progress since practice began,” West said. “We have had a very good mental approach to spring practice.”
The scrimmage will also give Tiger fans a chance to watch the offense work in second-year offensive coordinator Randy Fichnter’s spread system.
Apparently the competition for time in the backfield this spring has heated up between second-year running back Dante Brown —who rushed for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games as a junior last season — and junior-to-be Jeremiah Bonds, a speedy tailback out of Alabama. There seems to be no doubt, though, who the starting quarterback will be this fall.
“Danny (Wimprine) has been showing he is the quarterback,” West said. “Danny is really comfortable in the offense and is handling everything well.”
So far this spring, Wimprine has thrown for over 700 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Last season he threw for 1,329 yards, and 14 TDs against just four interceptions.
According to West, Wimprine’s receiving core has also improved with the unwavering effort this spring of former quarterback Travis Anglin, who has made the full-time switch to wide-out after starting last season as Memphis’ No. 1 signal caller.
“Things have gone well with Travis,” West said. “Travis is totally determined to being a good wide receiver.
“Physically, we are strong. This is another scrimmage for us. We have to try to get something out of it. We have to go out there and get after each other.”
The Blue-Gray Scrimmage will begin at noon at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and is free to the public. Pedestrian gates will be open on the east side of the stadium.
