All Systems Go

Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of rest to get your juices flowing again. This looked to be the case for CSU-Pueblo this evening as they conducted their last major scrimmage before next Thursday's season opener on the road at West Texas A&M in Canyon Texas. With training camp over and school starting its not football 24/7 for the boys from Belmont. The number one offense put up three touchcowns and a field goal in regulation format and then followed that up with a touchdown in simulated overtime session. Quarterback Ross Dausin continues to shine looking sharp on most of his throws and decisive in his decision making including a number of big time runs. On the other side of the ball the number one defense pretty much had its way all night long stuffing the number two offense. This was a very noticeable difference from last Saturday's scrimmage. These are the highlights I took note of......Redshirt freshman fullback Marquis McNeal, fresh off being named the starter, ripped off a 97 yard run on the first play from scrimmage taking the ball all the way to the one-yard line. He would score on the next play. McNeal is lucky to be alive following a horrific single car accident in early August in Colorado Springs ( http://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/07/31/csu-pueblo-football-player-lucky-to-be-alive-after-crash/ )......On their next drive number one offense went to work through the air as Dausin hit Josh Sandoval for 10 yards on a crucial third down conversion. Dausin followed that up with a gorgeous strike down the hashmarks to Marcial Williamson on third and five from the eight yard line......Kyle Major converted from 29 yards out on the next possesion courtesy of a nifty scramble by Dausin........Number one Defense came up with a big play as Beldy Nseka tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that sophomore speedster cornerback Stephan Dickens returned 40 yards to inside the five yard line.........Dausin again connected with Williamson on a beautiful post pattern in the back of endzone. This drive culminated a terrific series for freshman running back Johnathon Matthews who showed there will be life in the backfield following the departure of Jessie Lewis and Jamaal Johnson after this season.......In the simulated overtime session Dausin hooked up with Paul Browning from eight yards out. They played it as if number one offense needed two point conversion in triple overtime. Dausin didnt disappoint by bootlegging around right end for the conversion.......Coach John Wristen then called for number one offense to set up shop at the 41 yard line with 40 seconds on the clock. Dausin and Browning needed only eight of those seconds to hook up on a 41 yard beauty in the endzone.......As I noted earlier the number one defense was exceptional all night. In particular newcomer defensive end Corey Orth wreaked havoc with both backup signal callers.......Only downer on the night defensively was preseason All American linebacker Lee Meisner sat this one out. The veteran middle backer was held out as a precautionary measure to help him continue to nurse a nagging back injury..........All and all a very good night in my opinion. But it is also my opinion this team will need to be at very least better if not more crisp to come away with victory next week in front of 15000 crazed west texans.