North Carolina State University Athletics
2005 Preseason Diary, Day 12
8/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2005
Today's scrimmage turned into tonight's scrimmage, even though not a single raindrop fell on the NC State practice fields. The team was scheduled to start the scrimmage around 5, but storms circled Raleigh and the squad ended up waiting around before they were able to start their first preseason scrimmage.
The workout was held on the practice fields because the high school jamboree was being held in Carter-Finley Stadium. This morning, the team held a kicking scrimmage, as today was one of the team's three two-a-days this season.
"Not bad," was how Coach Amato described it afterwards. "We've got 21 days to get in 19 more practices, but for the 10th practice, this was not bad."
He went on to say that although the team did have some penalties tonight (which is pretty standard for early scrimmages), the tally was much less than this time last year. "The mistakes are very correctable, which is encouraging," he added.
The scrimmage was situational, working on the offense coming out, going in, and then red zone situations. Many of the players' families were out watching, as many are in town for tomorrow's Meet the Pack Day.
We only publicize the leaders after our scrimmages, but the freshmen running backs did get the bulk of the work tonight and one of them was the leader in the rushing category. Toney Baker had 98 yards on 11 carries and scored on a 12-yard run. His first carry of the day was a 41-yarder that ended in him stiff-arming a defensive back. Andre Brown also looked good, carrying eight times for 32 yards.
Jay Davis threw an interception early in the scrimmage (which was returned by Stephen Tulloch for a 22-yard touchdown), but then settled down and went 12 for his next 20 throws, gaining 188 yards and hitting Lamart Barrett for a TD. Barrett had two catches for 40 yards, but tight ends T.J. Williams (4-64) and Anthony Hill (3-29) were the leading receivers.
Tulloch had a montrous day, with nine tackles and two sacks for a loss of 10 yards. John McCargo had three tackles, all of which were sacks for a loss of 15 yards. John Deraney kicked a 50-yard field goal as well.
As always, the scrimmage ended with goalline drills and tonight the offense won. On the first play, Marcus Hudson had a big PBU, but on the next play Reggie Davis had a walk-in. The defense was called for an offsides and then Davis hit Anthony Hill for another score.
The night ended with gassers before the team headed back to the Murph for dinner.
Tomorrow, the team will meet for a church service at the Murphy Center, then will head to the RBC Center for interviews, individual pictures and the team picture before participating in the Day of Champions competition and then signing autographs.
