JacketsOnline.com - Warhawks wrap up week two

March 28, 2009

MONROE, La. --- The ULM football team wrapped up its second scrimmage of the season, passing the halfway point of the spring on a cold and windy day on the turf at Malone Stadium on Saturday morning.

"I thought it went pretty well," ULM head coach Charlie Weatherbie said. "The defense did some good things and made some plays on the ball in the secondary; we created some turnovers, and got some stops for loss on the defensive line. The offense did a good job of going into the end zone from the goal line and other spots inside the red zone. Our kicking game did well today. Radi has to improve on his consistency, but he is progressing well."

Whereas the early focus of the spring was on movement of the ball in the open field and early fundamentals on the new offensive and defensive schemes, the Warhawk staff spent the later part of the second week on offense in a shortened field. The day's scrimmage featured work inside the red zone, from the midway part of the field, and on the goal line.

With more of the offense installed, the Warhawks were able to find the end zone more consistently Saturday morning. Whereas one touchdown was scored in the first scrimmage of the spring, the ULM quarterbacks and offense were able to find pay dirt more on the second Saturday.

The offense found the end zone through the air and on the ground on the morning with newcomer Cordario Calvin proving to be a big target in the area.

"Cordario has good height and can get the football," Weatherbie said. "Guys like Alvin Jordan and Keavon Milton are also big targets inside from the tight end position. We also have speed in guys like Luther Ambrose. We have a lot of talent there and have several guys who could become 'go-to' guys in the red zone."

The offense wasn't alone in providing big plays in the scrimmage. Utilizing its new attacking scheme, the Warhawk defense was able to put pressure on the quarterbacks, come up with stops behind the line, and force turnovers.

"I think they have done a great job [at picking up the new defensive scheme] and our coaches have done a good job of keeping it simple for them while getting the information in there," Weatherbie said. "They are now starting to game plan a bit since they have everything in. They are able to gang up on some of the things the offense is doing."

With spring practice two weeks away from conclusion Weatherbie has taken note of some key performances on both sides of the ball as student-athletes look for positioning on the squad.

"Zach Rhodes has shown us some good stuff at quarterback," Weatherbie said. "He did some good things today scrambling and throwing the ball on the run. Keavon Milton has a chance to be a really fine tight end and get a lot of playing time. Rodney Lovett and Gary Frazier are running the ball well. Defensively I keep seeing guys like Shaq Belson making plays at the safety position. Guys like that are making plays that haven't been in that situation before.

The Warhawks will spend Sunday and Monday away from the field before returning to the turf on Tuesday for their regularly scheduled 3:45 p.m. practice.

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