Scrimmage Helps to Determine the 'Twos'
8/21/2010 5:41:38 PM | Football
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Orange head coach Doug Marrone used the Ernie Davis scrimmage on Saturday in the Carrier Dome to practice the first unit and to evaluate the players battling for the opportunity to earn a spot on the travel roster for Syracuse's season-opener at Akron. Watch Marrone's entire post-game reaction and complete coverage of SU's preseason camp on Orange All Access.
"Today we worked the 'twos' hard in the scrimmage," Marrone said. "This will help us make some decisions regarding who we have to provide depth. We also have to practice smart to keep us healthy. We felt comfortable with the guys who will start at the Akron game, so we worked today to make determinations as to who the 'twos' are going to be because that is important. What we wanted to accomplish we have and now we have to go back and make sure we have the right players in position to take to Akron and win."
The Orange kicks off the 2010 season at Akron on Saturday, September 4 (6:00 p.m., ESPN3). SU opens at home against Maine on September 18 at 7:15 p.m. in the Carrier Dome. Tickets are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOME-TIX). starting at $100.
Junior running back Antwon Bailey scored on a long touchdown run and freshman tailback Prince-Tyson Gulley scored two touchdowns. Freshman kicker Ross Krautman also hit a long field goal.
"Tyson Gulley did some nice things today," Marrone said. "He had a lot of reps and a lot of work. I told the younger players, including guys like Justin Pugh, to treat these scrimmages like they are your first games so by the opener at Akron you feel like it is your fourth or fifth game so you are not tight."
Marrone and the coaching staff also focused on the mechanics of the game, including signalling plays from the sidelines and communication.
"We are working on the mechanics of the game in terms of getting the signals in, not committing penalties and turnovers," Marrone said. "We are adding to the kicking game in live situations. Today we installed live kick return. We have to keep working on these phases of the game."
