QB Perry shines in spring scrimmage
Greg Burghardt
“Without a doubt in my mind right now, there is a No. 1 quarterback,” he said. “He has been playing very consistent all the way through, and we’ve been very happy with him.”
The mystery man is looking like Jeff Perry, who led the White team to a 14-7 victory over the Maroon team in the spring game Friday at the Indoor Athletic Complex. Perry was 9-for-13 for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Perry said he does not know who the starter is as spring camp broke.
“That’s Coach DeBord’s decision. We have not really talked about it. That decision is on him, and I trust that he will make the right call.”
DeBord has praised Perry’s play all spring, but also points out that a lot can change from now until the season opener Aug. 30 at Michigan.
“If somebody improves as much as the No.1 guy, then who knows who it will be in the fall,” said DeBord, entering his fourth season as head coach.
Perry has been happy with his spring performance but knows he must improve his footwork and foot speed to be effective in the MAC.
He sat out last season with a shoulder injury, but used the opportunity to learn from the sidelines.
“Sitting there watching a lot of film really gave me some good knowledge of the game. Plus, I matured some over the year,” the redshirt junior said.
The White team had a dominant running attack, led by senior Terrence Jackson. He rushed for 61 yards on nine carries. DeBord believes that Jackson is poised for a reemergence as one of the MAC’s best running backs.
“(He) ran like he did two years ago. He’s healthy right now and he ran with good pad level. He made good decisions and had a real good spring,” DeBord said.
Jackson earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2001, before missing much of the 2002 season with an ankle injury.
Sophomore Kent Smith and senior Derrick Vickers split time under center for the Maroon team. Smith was effective at times completing his first four passes, while Vickers struggled and completed only two of his seven attempts.
Senior defensive end Matt Wohlgemuth led the defense with three sacks for the Maroon team.
Sophomore wide receiver Scott Gibson made a one-handed catch for the White team’s first score Friday.
The teams alternated possessions starting at the 45 yard-line during the game. The quarters were 10 minutes long with a running clock.
Lance Gailliard scored on a 13-yard run to tie the score for the Maroon team. He had 21 yards on five carries.
The White team responded on the next possession with Perry connecting with sophomore Markus Naves on a 20-yard touchdown pass that closed the scoring.
Ike Ajoku sacked Smith in the closing play of the game.
Summer conditioning is led by the strength and conditioning staff and the veteran players before training camp opens in August.
