April 12, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University defense forced six turnovers, returning two for scores, in Thursday's intrasquad scrimmage at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field.
Bobby Sippio returned a fumble 23 yards for a score on the offense's third possession, and Hayes Thomas intercepted a screen pass on the opening possession of the second half, going 60 yards for a touchdown.
"I don't think that's a good sign for our offense," head coach Jack Harbaugh said. "But we can see a continuation of last year, where the defense gave us a lot of opportunities forcing turnovers, and how they could frustrate the opposing offense.
"Our playmakers -- Bobby, Hayes, Sherrod (Coates) and Mel (Mitchell) -- were making the same kinds of big plays today."
The offense did score on six occasions, beginning when Jason Johnson led the first team down the field 65 yards in eight plays on the opening drive, rushing in from one yard out. The possession started with the longest pass play of the day, a 43-yard completion from Johnson to Donte Pimpleton. The defense forced a pair of turnovers -- the Sippio fumble return and another fumble recovered by Brian Lowder -- before Jason Michael marched the second-team offense 64 yards in nine plays, punching the ball in when Richard Gervais recovered Curtis Hamilton's fumble in the end zone.
Ronnie Lilly scored on a one-yard run and Chris Miller broke free on a 3rd-and-1 to score from 25 yards out to complete the scoring in the first half.
After the break, Lilly capped a 20-yard drive by the second-team offense with a 12-yard touchdown run, and Johnson scored the final touchdown of the day with a 50-yard run around the left end.
"Our offense needs to protect the ball better, especially when you have a senior quarterback handing off to a senior running back," said Harbaugh. "We were able to establish field position as the day went on, though, and the offense moved the ball better than they did last week.
"The offensive line is getting better because they're a year older, but we've had some injuries there in the spring," Harbaugh said. "They have to come together as a group to help us establish the option attack, which we haven't run as well as I would have liked so far -- but there's another week to get that done."
Johnson led the Hilltoppers with 125 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries, while Pimpleton added 66 yards on 15 attempts and Hamilton had 56 yards on 10 rushes. Miller rushed for 50 yards and a score on seven carries, and Lilly ran nine times for 39 yards. Johnson also completed 4-of-5 passes for 75 yards, with Pimpleton adding two completions for 17 yards and Michael finishing 3-of-6 for 48 yards.
"Normally what you see is the offense pick up their level of play, but the real evaluation is in the turnovers," Harbaugh said. "The defense maintained its momentum, though. They're quick, and they have the ability to create negative plays for the offense, which is pleasing."
Mel Mitchell had a team-leading eight tackles with a fumble recovery, with Erik Dandy and Antwon Pinkston chipping in with seven stops apiece. Sherrod Coates and Charles Thompson each added five tackles -- Coates also forced a fumble -- and Dandy collected the defense's other interception.
Peter Martinez hit all eight extra-point attempts and also had a 45-yard field goal in the second half. "Special teams haven't got the attention that they need in the spring so far, but that's something we will work on next week," said Harbaugh.
WKU will workout in pads Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, then practice without pads Friday, in preparation for the Red-White Game, scheduled Saturday, April 21 at 5 p.m. (CDT) at Smith Stadium.
-- WKU --
