GWU Sharp, Injury Free, In First Preseason Scrimmage Saturday Morning
August 09, 2008 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb completed a successfully crisp, 90-play, full-contact scrimmage Saturday morning in Spangler Stadium, the first of the 2008 preseason for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
The squad capped the morning with conditioning, before breaking
into position groups for quick meetings.
Starting quarterback Stan Doolittle (6-3, 210, Jr.) and top target
Dobson Collins (6-2, 188, Sr.) hooked up on a 75-yard scoring play
in the scrimmages early going, with Dobson enjoying a strong
morning overall. Collins has already been in the crosshairs of
several NFL scouts attending GWU practices this past week, and
showed off the 4.4 speed and elite quickness that has peaked the
curiosity of the NFL's talent evaluators.
Speedy receiver Tyson Petty (5-11, 181, So.) was also sharp
Saturday, catching a 45-yard touchdown from quarterback John Rock
(6-3, 207, Fr.) and hauling in another 40-yard strike from Logan
Eppley (5-10, 174, So.), making the catch while falling out of
bounds at the 30-yard line. The Gaffney, S.C., native appears much
more confident – and comfortable – in the Bulldogs'
offense this year, and saw action outside and in the slot
Saturday.
Collins and Petty have been joined by several other strong early
performances this preseason at receiver, with youngsters Tre Perry
(6-0, 172, RFr.), Lyndon Leslie (6-2, 197, RFr.) and Jamal Patmon
(6-6, 195, So.) showing flashes of making an early impact on the
passing game. Kent State transfer Darren Rogers (6-0, 201, Jr.),
veteran Jordan Peyton (6-0, 192, Sr.) and tight end Josh Miller
(6-2, 226, So.) have also had encouraging camps to date, with
Miller hauling in a pair of nice catches during Saturday's
scrimmage. The development of Miller, a native of Danville, Ky.,
promises to enhance Gardner-Webb's passing attack considerably in
2008.
A positive development up front has been the emergence of Corey
O'Daniel (6-7, 303, So.) as a force. The Louisville, Ky., native is
starting at guard so far in camp, lining up beside All-America
tackle Demario Deese (6-4, 305, Sr.) with the first unit.
The running game has been paced by Patrick Hall (5-11, 207, So.),
who has drastically improved his quickness, overall speed and
strength from a year ago. The Gastonia, N.C., native broke off the
longest run of the morning for GWU Saturday, bursting off tackle
and darting to the sideline for 50 yards before the Bulldogs'
defense forced him out of bounds.
The Bulldog defense kept the offense out of the end zone during red
zone drills at the end of the scrimmage, and new kicker Ryan Gates
(5-8, 172, Fr.) banged in chances from 38 and 37 yards to end the
day.
An interesting development on the defensive side has been the move
of starting linebacker Quan Jackson (5-11, 204, Jr.) to strong
safety. The Ft. Myers, Fla., native started 11 games on the weak
side last season for the Bulldogs, but has the mobility and
tackling skill to make an impact in the secondary as well. Jackson
started Saturday's scrimmage at the position, alongside three-time
All-Big South free safety Daniel Cooke.
Newcomer Lyndrez Leslie (6-0, 197, Fr.), who will also log time at
cornerback, saw some snaps with the GWU first team at strong safety
on Saturday – and has worked well at both spots so far in
camp.
One noticeable attribute of Gardner-Webb's 2008 defense is the size
of its starting cornerbacks. Bryce Nixon (5-11, 182, So.) and 2007
All-American Cedric McGowan (6-0, 193, Jr.) each have gained muscle
to go on rangy frames, with Nixon showing great promise so far this
preseason as a cover corner. The Lithonia, Ga., native (M.L. King
HS) blocked a field goal during special teams drills Saturday.
With Jackson's move to safety, the GWU linebacker corps is perhaps
more physical. Big South Freshman of the Year Jeffrey Williams
(6-0, 221, So.) has moved back to the weak side, making room for
hard-hitting Oluwadamilola Teniola (5-11, 220, So.) at middle
linebacker. Teniola, an intelligent student-athlete who plans to
attend medical school after Gardner-Webb, is a natural fit for the
position. Two-time All-America selection Mario Brown (6-2, 237,
Sr.) will continue to hold down the strong side, and all three flew
around the football Saturday.
Bandit Jordan Woods (6-3, 210, Fr.) has been very active as a pass
rusher for Gardner-Webb this preseason, and is emerging –
along with Leslie – as perhaps the team's top newcomer on the
defensive side of the ball. The West Charlotte (N.C.) High product
was very visible during action Saturday morning, building on
momentum already established in early preseason practices.
The Bulldog starters saw limited action in the scrimmage, with the
coaching staff concentrating on getting the team's younger players
more action in lieu of the reserve's repetitions decreasing heading
into the final three weeks before the season starts.
GWU will hit the practice field again Monday morning in preparation
for the Thursday, Aug. 28, opener at Tennessee Tech (8 pm ET
kickoff).
