AGGIES FINE-TUNE OFFENSE65-yard TD pass to Dawson highlights team scrimmage
GREENSBORO, N.C., August 8, 2005 – The Aggies offense is under the new direction of first-year offensive coordinator Kent Schoolfield. While the offense was not perfect Monday, it showed signs of what it can be under Schoolfield’s leadership.
Senior quarterback Rico Watkins and freshman receiver Chaz Dawson connected on a 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown that surprised the secondary. In a play that brought back memories of the 2003 season, Watkins avoided two blitzing linebackers and threw a 15-yard strike over the middle to Dawson, who outran six defenders to the end zone. Although head coach George Small, who was coaching the defensive line, wasn’t happy with the play on the defensive side, he was pleased with Dawson’s effort.
“Players make plays, no matter who they are,” said Small. “We knew [Dawson] had some speed and that was an opportunity for him to show us what he can do. That’s an example of what this new offense can do for us.”
Earlier in the seven-on-seven running drills, the three-man rotation at running back was able to find some running room behind an experienced offensive line. Senior Chris Jones and sophomores Brandon Sweeney and Quante Speight shared the carries. Each was able to average four yards per carry. Jones scored on a pair of powerful 10-yard runs for good measure, carrying a pair of tacklers to the goal line.
Fifth-year receiver Bud Phillips took advantage of the additional reps in Trusty’s absence during the seven-on-seven passing drills, catching four passes in man-to-man and zone coverage. But a different look from last season emerged when the running backs were brought in to catch passes. “We are looking to be more versatile in the offense,” said an excited Jones. “Coach [Kent] Schoolfield promised that we will be more than a block and run unit. It felt pretty good that we get to do things differently.”
Marshall Glenn, currently the No. 1 quarterback on the depth chart, was optimistic after session.
“It’s early in the fall and being in the heat and humidity has gotten to us a bit, I admit. But we are getting stronger and better each day. It’s just a matter of everybody clicking at the same time. Once we do that and get all our personnel back, we’ll be able to put some points on the board.”