Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee finally scrimmage

By David Moorman  |   Tuesday, April 07, 2009  |  Comments( 2 )

College Football
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While South Carolina has scheduled its annual college football spring game for Saturday, April 11, three of its Southeastern Conference rivals just recently completed their first scrimmages.

Alabama, Mississippi State and Tennessee finally showcased what they’ve been working on; typical of the spring, everything appears to look good so far.

Mississippi State and Tennessee are operating with new head coaches, while Alabama is undergoing its third spring with Nick Saban -- who had the Crimson Tide on the verge of a national championship last year before ending the season with losses in the SEC championship game and Sugar Bowl.

Alabama is in the market for a new quarterback, and junior Greg McElroy gave indication that he is the heir apparent to John Parker Wilson. McElroy completed 22 of 33 passes for 214 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Colin Peek caught touchdown passes of 15 and 4 yards, Mike McCoy had a 21-yard scoring reception and last season’s freshman sensation, Julio Jones, added a 10-yard TD grab. Jones finished with five receptions for 56 yards in preparing for what promises to be a stellar sophomore season.

A hamstring injury sidelined Mark Ingram, but in his place, Terry Grant rushed 18 times for 63 yards and Jeramie Griffin ran 10 times for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Mississippi State first-year coach Dan Mullen watched his defense dominate most of its 100-play scrimmage before the offense finally showed some life late.

After Zach Smith intercepted a Tyson Lee pass, the offense went five series without moving past the 50-yard line. Chris Relf later intercepted Bo Walters.
Anthony Dixon finally eventually scored on a 25-yard run, and in a red-zone possession series, the offense closed the scrimmage with six more scores.

Tennessee first-year coach Lane Kiffin put the Volunteers through a workout that featured running backs Toney Williams and Tauren Poole each carrying 14 times for more than 80 yards. Williams also scored twice.

Defensively, Montori Hughes had three tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup. Chris Walker also recorded three tackles and forced a fumble.

<b>LSU’S JONES TO TRANSFER:<b> LSU has given defensive back Phelon Jones a release to transfer to another school. Jones will complete the spring semester before moving on.

Jones’ father, Tony, said his son wants to transfer to Auburn. The younger Jones was a prep star in Mobile, Ala.

Jones showed promise as a redshirt freshman at LSU, having started two of the nine games in which he played. He finished with 15 total tackles, including a career-best six in victories over Troy and North Texas.

<b>KENTUCKY’S MASTHAY A FINALIST:<b> Former Kentucky punter Tim Masthay is one of six finalists for a Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship.

The $24,000 scholarship will be awarded to one male and one female athlete. Finalists must all have at least a 3.5 grade-point average, demonstrate leadership and show that participation in athletics has been a positive influence.

Masthay was an All-SEC first-team punter last season. His community service includes providing Christmas meals and gifts for underprivileged families in central Kentucky and a trip to Ghana to work in a school and an orphanage.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats ...
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