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Pokes Have Their Moments, Need Work August 18, 2001 by Staff Reporter
Stillwater, Okla. -- While the success the Cowboys will have in the 2001 season is yet to be seen, they can stretch as well as anyone in the country. The first hour of a scrimmage that was set for 11 a.m. was consumed by stretching and warm-ups that had no conceivable end. However, once the stretching finally came to a conclusion the Cowboys showed that they are a not a doormat and are by no means a power. Aso Pogi showed his talent and early understanding of the Miles / Gundy offense with nine completions on 15 pass attempts with 86 yards and a touchdown. Pogi hit Rashaun Woods, the Pokes leading receiver with four catches for 49 yards, for a 25 yard score moments after Luke Phillips opened the scoring with a 27-yard field goal. The Cowboy offense looked rather dull for the bulk of the scrimmage which could be attributed to the fact that Tatum Bell, Kyle Eaton, and D.D. Cox did not play due to injuries. Cox, Eaton, and Bell, who suffered a slight concussion earlier in the week are all expected to be back in practice in a few days. Elbert Craig and Paul Jones also sat out the scrimmage and are expected back soon. In the absence of Cox and Bell the ground game suffered greatly with the best numbers being from backup quarterback slash strong safety Chris Massey who had three carries for 25 yards including a 14 yard touchdown run. Richard Schwarz was next with seven carries for 16 yards, Greg Jones had nine carries for 14 yards, Shawn Willis had four for 10 yards, Pogi had one carry for four yards, Mike Denard got a yard on one carry, while Burrough, Larrea, Bailey, Ahrberg, Fields, and Cormell had few carries for even fewer yards. Luke Phillips converted 20 and 35 yard field goals, Chris Calcagni hit a 39 yarder, Mike Denard had a 1 yard TD plunge and Adonis Brewer had a 11 yard touchdown reception from Will Ahrberg to cap off the scoring. The defense showed a considerable amount of improvement against the pass with the new 4-2-5 look that is much more successful against the spread offense. Fath' Carter and Lawaylon Brown recorded sacks while Josh Letourneau recorded the scrimmage's only interception off of Michael Cox. Oklahoma State will not be a juggernaut, but then again nobody had claimed they would be. If the starters can have the same luck with injuries that their rivals to the South did in 2000 the Pokes will have a solid season to build on and most likely a bowl. However, an injury here and there will put them under .500 and if Pogi is to go down the season will be a downright struggle. But the pre-game is in good shape.
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