McNeese completes first scrimmage of season
Last Modified: Saturday, August 11, 2012 10:02 PM
By Alex Hickey / American Press
With electricity in the air and lightning in the distance, McNeese State completed its first scrimmage of the season late Saturday afternoon.
The dangerous weather blew the other way, but eventually a heavy downpour that improbably came down from a bright, sunny sky forced coach Matt Viator to cut the practice about 10 plays short of schedule.
Viator felt the Cowboys got much accomplished in the plays they did run.
“We’re progressing as far as assignments. Our execution is good,” Viator said. “The next phase is getting in shape to play a game. From a conditioning standpoint we have a long ways to go, but that’s typical for being at our 14th practice of camp.”
Many of the positive plays came from the unit fighting the hardest for a shot at playing time. The No. 3 offense looked particularly impressive, as quarterback Garrett McCain of Sulphur finished 9-for-12 with 149 yards and 3 touchdowns while scrambling for another.
“I like Garrett a lot. He’s got a lot of heart,” said third-team running back Dillon Berlin. “He tries his butt off. And I’m also left-handed, so I kind of like a left-handed quarterback.”
Berlin made the most of his touches, grinding out 28 yards on four carries.
“Dillon runs really hard, and there’s always a spot on any team for one of those guys,” Viator said of the St. Louis High grad.
Like McCain, McNeese’s top two quarterbacks had a successful day. Cody Stroud was 11 of 15 for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Tyler Bolfing went 11 of 17 for 102 yards and a score.
“I don’t think we had a three-and-out all day, so that’s a positive,” Stroud said. “Running backs made some nice cuts, the line did a heck of a job today. Receivers made some nice place. Overall I feel we did a real fantastic job today.”
Safety Ford Smesny had the only sack for the No. 1 unit, while defensive tackle Nick Gorman also got credit for one.
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