Week Three Closes Out with Team Scrimmage on Friday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Week three of spring practices were closed out with a 60-play team scrimmage on Friday under the lights of Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.

As head coach Mike Sanford looks to find a new starting quarterback to replace NFL-bound Mike White, Friday's performance was a telling sign that the position group still has work to do.

"(The scrimmage) was good, but we've got to clean it up at the quarterback position," Sanford said. "We did some good stuff, but our (first team) offense scored on the first drive – nice drive – and matriculated the ball right down the field but it was slow after that. We've got to coach them better. We've got to play better."

In his first practice since being named assistant head coach, Clayton White's defense was the beneficiary of numerous footballs on the ground, another area Sanford said his offense needed to improve.

"I thought our defense created turnovers, mostly through the offense's exchanges. We've got to clean that up. It wasn't up to our standard at the quarterback position. We've been pretty good until today. There were moments which were good, but overall not our best day at the position."

Not only is White's production gone, but his departure, among others, leaves a void in the leadership roles, and the spring has been a time historically for new leaders to emerge.

"We need leaders to emerge, offensively. We, as coaches, have been the leaders, but it's on Dennis Edwards, Drew Eckels, Lucky Jackson, guys who have played who have street and field credibility. When you have turnovers or three-and-outs, we need guys to galvanize and bring everyone together. That's the big challenge."

The Hilltoppers are back on the field on Tuesday to start the fourth week of spring practices, all leading up to April 21 for the Red vs. White Spring Game at 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Players Mentioned

Drew Eckels

Lucky Jackson

Mike White

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