Defense shines in spring scrimmage

I'm here in New Orleans, where LSU is destroying Oklahoma State, but correspondent Joe Rienzi was there this morning when USF held its first scrimmage of the spring. The media had originally been only allowed for the first 30 minutes, but they let him stay the whole time. Here's his report:

-- Brouce Mompremier worked at starting middle linebacker, with Tyrone McKenzie getting a chance at next Saturday’s scrimmage.

"Next week I’m going to put T-Mac in the middle," defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said. "We’re just trying to find the best combination. We’ve had such good middle linebackers here for so many years, and we need to get a guy in there who will solidify the entire defense."

The Bulls are seeking a replacement for Ben Moffitt, headed to the NFL after starting the last three seasons at middle linebacker.

“I’ll play either mike or sam, as long as I can help the team out," Mompremier said. "It’s tough to step into the middle because I have a big mountain to climb just to get to (Moffitt’s) level, but I’ll get some help out there."

-- Defense forced five turnovers. Jerome Murphy and Carlton Williams intercepted Matt Grothe, Sabbath Joseph and Dylan Douglas intercepted Alton Voss, and Mompremier recovered a Mike Ford fumble, which he lateraled to a teammate who ran it in for a touchdown. The defense also blocked two Delbert Alvarado field goals.

-- Alvarado was 2-for-4 on extra points and 1-for-4 on field-goal attempts. Justin Teachey was 3-for-3.

“I was most disappointed in our kicking game," coach Jim Leavitt said. "I didn’t think Delbert Alvarado was kicking very good today, and he’s better than that. I know that. I was happy with our snaps, our holds. We just didn’t kick good. Teachey came in and didn’t miss. So, Justin Teachey did a good job. There’s always a competition.”

-- Tight end Ben Busbee suffered a broken bone in his right hand. Kion Wilson did not play because of an ankle injury, but should be back by the end of spring, according to Burnham. Jarriett Buie was not at the scrimmage at all; Leavitt said he told him he was not participating.

-- Stats: Grothe went 10-for-15 for 137 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; Grant Gregory went 12-for-14 for 143 yards and two TDs; Alton Voss went 1-for-3, 22 yards, 2 INT. Mike Ford had the only rushing touchdown, finishing with 9 yards on eight carries.

“I didn’t think we made real good decisions at quarterback," Leavitt said. "Those turnovers didn’t have to happen. It was more quarterback decision-making. I’d have to say Grant played better than Matt today. I don’t think there’s any question."

-- Grothe was the first-team holder on field goals and extra points.

-- Two players were not allowed to participate after being involved in scuffles with teammates. Taurus Johnson (got into a shoving match with Louis Gachette) — and Ryan Schmidt, who was taken to the ground by Quenton Washington after he shoved Washington by the facemask.

-- Gregory hit Dontavia Bogan for a 53-yard TD, and walk-on Jeffrey Wilson laid out safety Charlton Sinclair with a huge block.

-- Senior safety Danny Verpaele still had a walking boot on his sprained left foot, and none of the running backs injured last week -- Richard Kelly, Mo Plancher, Aston Samuels -- were on the sidelines.

Thoughts? Comments? Questions at the midway point of spring drills?

Comments

[Paul C.]

Nice stats on Gregory for the day.

Hey Bulls...you guys stop fighting out there. You're gonna need all that fight saved up for the Fall!

Gotta be the BE Champs!

Thanks Greg.

[ucf rocks]

Grothe is an int machine

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Delbert Alverado missing field goals???

Are you still defending this guy Greg??

Special Teams player of the year huh???

Guy is Terrible. Any objective opinion can see that. Guy is awful. Terrible. Awful.

Please get us a decent kicker.

[Herman]

Ari can we go to Vermont and get married now?

[Delbert]

I do my best Ari. You kick the ball.

[G.A.]

You guys know better than to post as someone you're not.

Ari, you're saying I'm not objective. When have I supported him? I think I pointed out his second-half numbers whene he got the award at the banquet. Again, who do you want to handle the kicking?

[Ken]

I don't like hearing about interceptions and fumbles, especially not from the first-team guys.

[JR]

I think the best part of that article is about Quentin Washington taking down Ryan Schmidt who is almost 3 times as big as him hahahaha that is hilarious

[cg]

Tell us more about this Rienzi guy, I hear he's got an arm.

[KB]

Greg,

It's March 29th, where are your bowl predictions? Come on, stay up with the rest of the class.

[ucfrocks]

Please quit posting as me!!!!

[Lakeland Gator]

Tebow > Grothe

[Jarred]

greg,
how could ford only have 9 yards? Is our o line still playin like its the sun bowl or something?

[Dave W]

cg, Joe is a pretty good reporter for the Oracle. I've liked him since he wrote about his trip to the Sun Bowl with other Oracle staffers.

Voss can't hold? Or are they just trying everyone out? I would think that Teachey can learn to hold.

I'm really surprised by the concern at MLB. This is an unfortunate development, but experience is a huge plus at that position. So was Sabbath Joseph at OLB? Is there any chance that Lanaris could see time?

[AGW]

G.A., basketball question. Can u please update us on Simmons recruiting visit this weekend? Who hosted him? Do we have any new developments on the basketball recruiting? Any visits being lined up from any of the bigs? Thanks.

[Les]

Ford, nine yards on eight carries. With the defense looking very solid next year's success will depend on the OL. No holes means low bowls.

[Ray Finkel]

The reason Delbert continues to miss PAT's and field goal after field goal is because of the hold.

He really is a great kicker, I swear...just like me.

"LACES OUT, DAN!!!!!"

"Grothe is an int machine" Posted by: ucf rocks

Yes he is, can you say 64-12...

[Al]

What's the story with Jarriett Buie?

[paul wall]

I dont think delbert missed any PA this season

[Tad]

Any prospect of Grothe running the spread, while Gregory running a pro-set? Gregory's arm strength is much better.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Somebody stole my Ray Finkel joke. Get off me.

Delbert ain't no Jack Del Rio

[Dave W]

I don't think that a Grothe/Gregory tag-team would be a very good idea. Grothe is the unquestioned leader of the offense; taking him out at any slightly critical juncture is not a good idea. Giving Gregory a series in the second quarter would be alright; he's earned it, but not at the expense of the whole offense. Plus, with Grothe's vulnerability, he end up with extensive time anyways.

Any BB recruiting updates? I know you're away, but you've got the connections, GA.

[RR]

YOUR Ray Finkel joke, Ari?

Please.

[G.A.]

Guys, as jokes go, it's not really one worth fighting over. Yes, yes, a nice reference. Congrats to all who thought of it at any point ...

[Lois Einhorn]

Hey, Ari...

Let's drop the whining about having your jokes stolen.

That's why I had to break off our once promising romance.

[Roger Podacter]

I actually survived that fall out the skyscraper window to come bust on you, Ari. I'm guessing you eventually found Einhorn's bad case of hemorrhoids like I did.

[G.A.]

Oh, this is sad.

[Detective Aguado]

Yeah...this is sad. Here we are, trying to find out who stole Snowflake, and all Ari can do is complain about people allegedly stealing his jokes.

[GP]

Greg, you should speak to your IT people about blocking ip addresses, or see if they cannot setup a way for you to have to have a login to post on the blog-I know this sucks for the regular user who just wants to discuss the Sports world of USF-to ensure that none of these shenanigans don't ensue

[Fidel Castro]

That's a superb idea, GP. As a communist dictator, I believe that's just the sort of action we need in every facet of life.

GP...ever thought about moving down to Cuba to serve in our wonderful government?

[RR]

GP = no sense of humor

I know it's really tough to use that forefinger to scroll down if you don't want to read certain posts, GP.

Can we take up a collection for GP's arthritis?

[G.A.]

I'm fully capable of deleting posts wherever I have Internet access. Deleted a few this weekend. Want you guys to be able to have fun here, but don't want things to devolve too badly, either ...

[RR]

Thanks, Greg.

I agree...part of what makes this blog so fun is the humor of some of its readers who post comments.

Thanks for your balance, Greg.

[Mike Lakeland]

I know one can be overwhelmed. I also know that one can be underwhelmed.

But can one ever be just whelmed?

[Daniel Webster]

Whelm: to cover or engulf completely with usually disastrous effect

[Herman Momart]

Ha! GP wants to ban IP addresses because of a little fun...sounds like another loser I know.

Grothe throwing interceptions

Mike Ford fumbling

Alvarado missing and getting kicks blocked.

sounds all too familiar

[reality]

Greg,

Thanks for preventing communist control of the blogs. If you cant laugh at Ace Ventura jokes, then you need help.

[G.A.]

They're fine. But you can do better. Fletch references, for instance, are far superior.

[Fletch]

You using the whole fist, Greg?

[jarred]

Greg, just be glad you didnt order the hamburger.

[Rob]

Fletch > Ace Ventura. Your really showing your age now Greg!