DePauw shows competitiveness in scrimmage at Franklin

Tuesday, September 3, 2013
DePauw freshman Will Longthorne (24) cuts in front of a pass for an interception to give the Tigers the ball back during the simulated half on Saturday at Franklin. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

FRANKLIN -- Building a team to compete with the best Division III programs in the country is a process, and the DePauw football team took the first step along that path on Saturday.

The Tigers scrimmaged at Franklin College, ranked No. 19 in the preseason poll at D3football.com after finishing last season at No. 20.

There was no official score for the game, but in a full half played under regulation rules the Tigers scored 14 points to the Grizzlies' 21.

DePauw senior running back Armani Cato steps through a tackle on his way to a 10-yard gain during the Tigers scrimmage at Franklin College on Friday. Cato and sophomore Amen Galley are fighting for the starting spot at DPU's season-opener on Saturday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

"We did some good things," DePauw head coach Bill Lynch said. "All in all we competed and that's what I told them."

Junior quarterback Drew Seaman started the exhibition, but he alternated possessions with sophomore Justin Murray. The two have been battling for the starting job since the midway point of last season and things didn't get much clearer on Saturday.

Seaman struggled with accuracy, starting the game with four straight incomplete passes on his only two drives, but Murray wasn't much better. His second throw was nearly intercepted.

The Grizzlies, led by senior quarterback Jonny West, scored on their third drive of the game, late in the first quarter. West, regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in DIII, finished the scrimmage 10-for-15 with a touchdown.

Murray, taking the field for his second series, brought the Tigers right back down the field. After drawing the defense closer to the line with runs and short passes, DPU sent sophomore receiver Billy McClamroch down the field on a go route. Murray lobbed it up from the Grizzlies' 49 and hit McLamroch in stride.

The 5-10 receiver hauled it in for a touchdown to even the scoring, which seemed to fire up Franklin.

The Grizzlies went into a no-huddle offense on their next drive and moved the ball 75 yards on six plays for a touchdown.

"That's the strength of their offense. ... We prepared for (the hurry-up), but we hadn't prepared for it in a scrimmage situation," Lynch said. "We've just kind of done the mechanics of it and that's something we've got to put a lot of work into this week."

After Franklin's second straight touchdown, DPU changed its quarterback rotation and put Murray out for another drive when it appeared to be Seaman's turn. It's unclear if this was because of Murray's effectiveness, Seaman's ineffectiveness or if Murray simply hadn't run enough plays. Regardless, the Tigers failed to move the ball.

DPU punted and Franklin put backup quarterback Grant Welp into the game for his first action. His second pass was intercepted.

Freshman linebacker Will Longthorne, who had already impressed the coaching staff with his play during training camp is battling for a starting spot, came down with the ball.

Another freshman, Matt Hunt, then came in at quarterback for DPU. Hunt was three-for-three for 29 yards and threw a touchdown pass to junior Adam Nay.

Freshman Ian Good also got one drive as the Tigers' quarterback during the simulated half.

"This is really, really good for us to get to play a quality program that's used to winning and kind of see how we measure up," Lynch said. "Now we've got to have a great week of practice and clean up the things we didn't do so well so we're ready to go next Saturday."

The scrimmage wrapped with each team taking the ball for two possessions from its own 30-yard line and 1:35 on the clock.

Seaman was on the field for the Tigers' first drive in the two-minute drill. He completed three passes, all to senior Barry Flynn, and threw an interception.

Murray was 1-for-3 on his drive.

While Lynch didn't give any hints as to which quarterback would be named his starter for the regular season opener on Saturday, he did imply that the competition was now between just Murray and Seaman.

"We did so much that we've really got to get the video out and really see where we're at," he said. "We played so many kids. ... The biggest thing that we have to do now is, we've got to hone in on who is playing (this Saturday)."

Lynch is expected to announce the starters on Wednesday.

DePauw opens on Saturday at Sewanee (Tenn.) at 2 p.m.

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