Davenport, McGahee and Defense Shine In First Spring Scrimmage
March 24, 2001
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Running backs Najeh Davenport and Willis McGahee were the offensive stars and the Miami defense looked strong as the Hurricanes participated in their first scrimmage of Spring practice at Cobb Field Saturday morning.
“I was really pleased with the offense,” Miami head coach Larry Coker said. “We made some plays and several guys had good performances. Overall, I thought our defense did an excellent job. Of course, it’s common for the defense to be ahead of the offense in execution at this time and that was the case today. Ken (Dorsey, UM quarterback) got off to a slow start but he picked it up as the day went on. Our defensive backs, especially Phillip Buchanon (cornerback) had an excellent day.”
Saturday’s scrimmage consisted a series of offensive possessions that began at their own 35-yard line. The first team offense was led by Dorsey’s 7-for-14 passing performance for 100 yards. Dorsey threw two interceptions on the day, both to cornerback Phillip Buchanon. Buchanon’s first theft came on the scrimmage’s first play as Dorsey attempted a deep post pass and Buchanon leaped in front of receiver Daryl Jones to make the interception. Buchanon also picked off a Dorsey pass on a corner route in the end zone to end a later possession.
“The day went about as I expected,” Dorsey said. “It’s always tough in the first scrimmage because you’re trying to get started again from nothing, but I thought we improved as the day went on and ended up having a pretty successful scrimmage.”
First-team running backs Clinton Portis and Najeh Davenport spearheaded the first scoring drive of the day as the unit moved 65 yards in six plays for a score against the starting defense. Davenport highlighted the drive with a 39-yard catch and run on a swing pass down the right sideline. Portis, who carried seven times for 37 yards on the day, had six carries for 23 yards on the drive and capped the march with a three-yard touchdown run. Davenport finished the day with two catches for 56 yards and rushed three times for 12 yards.
Redshirt freshman running back Willis McGahee was the star of the day for the offense, rushing 11 times for 121 yards and a touchdown while rotating his playing time with both the starting unit and the second-team offense. McGahee keyed the second scoring drive of the day as the second unit moved 65 yards in six plays with McGahee ending the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Much of McGahee’s best running came on inside running plays straight up the middle of the defense.
“It was great to get the chance to show everyone what I can do,” McGahee said. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. I was happy with the way I ran today, especially between the tackles.”
The top receiving outing by a wide receiver was Ethenic Sands’ two-reception, 24-yard performance. Placekicker Todd Sievers was successful on his lone field goal attempt, a 38-yard effort. Punter Freddie Capshaw had an excellent outing, averaing 37.5 yards on nine punts. All of Capshaw’s punts were into a steady 10 mile-per-hour breeze.
Defensively, strong safety Edward Reed led all tacklers with six stops (three unassisted). Junior end Jerome McDougle had 1˝ quarterback sacks while ends Andrew Williams, John Square and Cornelius Green had one sack apiece. Tackle William Joseph also registered a sack for the defense.
Miami will take Sunday and Monday off before resuming practice Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m at the Greentree Practice Field. Beginning with Tuesday’s practice, all practices and scrimmages are closed to the public until the FOX Sports Net Canes Fest scrimmage on April 7 at the Orange Bowl. That event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a scrimmage highlighting the day starting at 10:30 a.m.
For ticket information concerning Hurricanes football, contact the UM Ticket Office at (305) 284-2263 or 1-800-GO-CANES. Ticket information also may also be obtained online at www.hurricanesports.com.
