Curry, Russell Impressive In Scrimmage

August 19, 2000 | Football

By: UNC Athletic Communications

Aug. 19, 2000

Chapel Hill, N.C. -- The University of North Carolina football team held its second preseason scrimmage in less than four days Saturday evening at Kenan Stadium. Although no official scoring was kept, Carolina did drive for three touchdowns, including two Ronald Curry scoring passes.

"I though the scrimmage started out a little rugged," said Head Coach Carl Torbush. "I saw some good things happening, but also some inconsistent things happening. We'd have the defense make a good play, but the offense making a bad play. But that's normally how it is when you're going against each other."

Curry, who was 9 of 13 for 188 yards, connected with tight end Alge Crumpler on a 10-yard scoring dart and later found wide receiver Jamal Jones on a 41-yard touchdown pass.

"It was a totally different offense today," said Curry. "We got a lot of the young guys some looks, so we were seeing what those guys could do and seeing how the offensive line could adjust with some different twists in there. Once we start utilizing everything that we have, I think the offense will really click.

"I thought I threw the ball ok. I thought on some of the passes I was trying to give the ball to the receivers instead of just throwing it to them and they fell short. But all of that is correctable."

Freshman tailback Brandon Russell scored UNC's other touchdown from 1-yard out. Russell led the Tar Heels with 13 carries for 54 yards. Tailback Willie Parker did not play in order to give the other running backs more opportunities in game-like situations.

"Brandon Russell jumped out at me," said Torbush. "He did some very good things. If I see on film what I thought I saw out there today, he made a big move to get himself on the field as a freshman. And we want to see that. Jamal Jones has made several big plays in both scrimmages, so he's obviously given himself a chance to play. Bosley Allen also made a few good plays."

Defensively, Anthony Perkins was credited with two of the Tar Heels' six quarterback sacks. Linebacker Sedrick Hodge had three tackles, including two for losses. Freshman Kitwana Jones, who was moved from fullback to linebacker, was impressive with four tackles.

"The cornerbacks did well. Michael Waddell made a couple of good plays, Errol Hood made some plays and we were pleased to see Billy-Dee Greenwood make a couple of very solid tackles."

Kory Bailey did not play because of tendinitis in his Achilles' tendon. He is expected to miss a few days of practice. Antwon Black, did not play because of a sore arm. He is expected to practice on Monday when the Tar Heels resume daily workouts.