Balanced Offensive Attack Featured in Blue-Gold Scrimmage
From the Texas A&M-Commerce Website
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If the spring Blue-Gold scrimmage is any indication, the Texas A&M University-Commerce offense could have a balanced attack in 2008.Running back Marcus Graham and quarterback Terry Mayo led the first-team blue offense to two scores as it outscored the gold offense, 14-0, on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Graham opened the contest with an eight-yard run before taking the ball up the gut and racing 55 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown two plays later. The drive covered 70 yards on three plays, with Graham piling up 63.
Mayo found wide receiver Willie Thornton for a 7-yard reception between Graham's runs.
It was all Mayo during the blue's third possession in the second quarter. After getting sacked for a 8-yard loss, Mayo connected with Thornton for a 2-yard gain before lofting a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Miller, who snatched the ball one-handed and dove into the end zone. The touchdown capped a three-play, 38-yard drive right before the half.
Mayo didn't play in the second half, but finished 5-of-7 for 81 yards and a score.
Graham rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on five carries in the first, and ended with nine totes for 115 yards.
Trent Miller quarterbacked the blue offense in the second half and started with two straight completions of 12 and 15 yards to Thornton, but completed only one more pass the rest of the half. He came close to a score on the game's final possession, but Chris Miller's catch was out of bounds.
Lions head coach Scotty Conley said Thornton would be a player to watch in the scrimmage, and he was right as the receiver finished with five catches for 55 yards. It looked as though he could have scored a touchdown as he beat a defender deep up the middle, but a defender grabbed his jersey and was called for pass interference to stop the potential score.
The 5-10, 175-pound transfer from the University of Central Florida showed his speed and quick chemistry with both Mayo and Miller.
The gold offense, or No. 2s, never really threatened with their longest drive covering 13 yards.
Adrain Turner picked off a pass and recorded two tackles to lead the defense. Defensive linemen Andree Smith and Luke Higgins each had two sacks, or quarterback touches, as it was illegal to hit the passers.
The scrimmage ends spring practices for A&M-Commerce, which will get started again in the fall. The Lions travel to play Northwestern State (La.) on Aug. 30 for their season opener at 6 p.m.
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