University of Memphis Athletics
Wimprine Leads Tiger Offense in Stadium Scrimmage
Mar 29, 2002 | Football
March 29, 2002
Memphis, TN - Tiger football coach Tommy West took his Memphis team to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the team's second and perhaps their final major scrimmage of the spring before the Blue Gray Game. The Blue Gray Game will be played at the Liberty Bowl on Saturday, April 6th at 12 noon and will mark the conclusion of spring drills.
"I have liked our intensity throughout the spring," said West. "The offense was able to move the ball but the defense bowed their necks and were able to come up with some big stops. Spirits were high and I liked the way we competed for most of the afternoon."
Sophomore quarterback Danny Wimprine, who has been impressive throughout the spring, once again led the offense. The New Orleans, LA, native hit on 21-of-38 pass attempts for 243 yards. He had a long pass play of 55 yards to senior wide receiver Tripp Higgins but spread his passes to eight different receivers during the two and a half hour session.
Higgins, a senior from Marietta, GA, led all pass catchers with five receptions for 115 yards. Junior Chris Cowley caught two passes for 67 yards and one touchdown. His scoring play came on a 60-yard pass from senior Scott Scherer, who finished the afternoon hitting on eight-of-16 attempts for 91 yards.
Senior receiver Travis Anglin, who was moved to receiver from quarterback this spring, grabbed six passes for 59 yards, while junior wide out Antoine Harden hauled in four passes for 41 yards.
Tiger tailback Dante Brown led all rushers with 60 yards on 12 carries. Brown also scored on an 11-yard run during the final minutes of the scrimmage. Brown had a long run of 15 yards and added two pass receptions for nine yards. LSU transfer Derron Parquet tallied 49 yards on five rushes and walk-on running back LaKendus Boyce from Houston High School in Memphis, gained 48 yards on two carries and scored a touchdown on a five yard run.
Linebacker Sheldon Taylor turned in a strong defensive performance, once running down tailback Boyce from behind, and saving a touchdown. Cornerback Cameron Essex scored a defensive touchdown on a 22-yard fumble return and linebacker Robert Douglas added a touchdown on a 32-yard interception for a score. Rover Derrick Ballard also added an interception.
The Tigers have four practices remaining this spring, including the Blue-Gray Game.
