- The Cougars scrimmaged for approximately 90 minutes Saturday.
- David Piland and Cotton Turner split time at quarterback, but Crawford Jones received limited reps as well.
- In punting situations Richie Leone was the main punter. Patrick Edwards was used as the No. 1 punt returner, Kent Brooks was second and D.J. Hayden was third.
- Senior Austin Elrod was the team’s third string quarterback last season, but he has been converted into a wide receiver.
Kevin Sumlin
On the scrimmage:
“We looked at some new things with formations. This time of year I know what our goals are as a staff. We have some guys who know what they can do but. We have to find where we are on our offensive and defensive lines, to know which guys we can depend on. We worked a lot in tight zones from the 6-yard-line in. Some guys made plays, some didn’t. That’s what young guys do.”
On the recovery of Cotton Turner:
“Cotton coming off the injury he had, the severity of it, him being able to play the way he is right now, he is by far ahead of schedule of I thought he would be.”
On Case Keenum’s status:
“He’s rehabbing and working at it. It’s not easy. He spends a lot of time in practice back there with me. He does a great job talking to the quarterbacks about demeanor and all the things he sees. I think it’s eating away at him that he’s not playing, he’s such a competitor. I’m not really worried about him, I’m worried about the other 84 guys that are playing for us, we have to get them ready to go.
On the younger receivers:
“We had guys that flashed. Darian Lazard did some good things today, he had a drop at the end but we kept putting him in positions where he had to compete. Him and Aaron Johnson have to come on for us. Ronnie Williams made some plays as well.”
On junior college transfers Chevy Bennett and D.J. Hayden:
“I think everybody can see the addition of the junior college corners is a big deal. D. J. has to keep coming on, he has tremendous talent. Chevy Bennett is probably the best complement you can have. You really didn’t notice him at the other corner – we’ve noticed a bunch of corners since I’ve been here.”
David Piland
On his play in the first scrimmage:
“I played pretty well, just trying to get going with the offense. We have a couple of little things we need to work out but other than that we’ll work on some tempo but we’ll keep rolling. We’re coming along really well. Everyday you see a lot of improvement out of everybody. We’re really excited about that, it’s going to be a fun year.”
On learning behind Case Keenum for the next season:
“It’s just another opportunity to get better. Case helps me with everything I do. If anything ever goes wrong I turn to him and he tells me exactly what to do and what’s right and what’s wrong.”
On if the Cougars feels like this is a bounce-back season:
“We’re not really thinking about the past year. We’re coming out this year thinking we’re going to win every game, and get after them.”
On how the receivers and offensive lineman are competing for a starting role:
“They’ve picked up the role really well. They knew the guys ahead of them and know those are pretty big shoes to fill. It’s been a fun thing to watch ,everyone has been stepping into their role. All the receivers came out and so did the o-line, it’s exciting”
Cotton Turner
On if he is feeling close to 100 percent after suffering a fractured clavicle:
“I’m getting there. The muscles are just trying to get their endurance back to throwing about 100 passes.”
How his rehab went:
“They put a metal plate in, it was just the bone. So it’s better than having a torn rotator cuff or labrum. In rehab it was whatever I could take and let pain be my guide. I just tried to ignore the pain and get back as fast as I could.”
On how the less-experienced players are adjusting:
“They’re catching on, DeAndre Perry had a great scrimmage and they’re coming along.”
-John Brannen
