Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008

Chants better, but questions persist

CONWAY | It had been an up and down, nondescript second scrimmage until Zach MacDowall's moment of improvisational magic.

After early scoring Tuesday, the defense had once again been getting the better of the Chanticleers offense at Brooks Stadium.

After opening with two touch downs in three drives, the defense had forced punts on six of following seven possessions.

The offensive malaise subsided as MacDowall showed why he began his career as a quarter back at Wake Forest. MacDowall escaped from a pass rush, whirling out of the pocket to his left and then threw a fastball to the middle of the end zone, where Trent Usher received the rocket for a 25-yard score. Coming off the field, Usher pointed toward MacDowall in gratitude.

It was a play MacDowall needed as he is second on the depth chart behind incumbent Will Richardson Quarterbacking calvary also can be seen on the ridge as Jamie Childers said Tuesday that he will begin work ing out next week.

``I feel like I can throw on the run well,'' MacDowall said. ``I always like to have my eyes downfield. I feel like that [play] helped out. But we are still battl ing, we still have to compete, we still have to have leadership.''

The play was reminiscent of something from former quarter back Tyler Thigpen's bag of tricks: making something out of nothing, exchanging a broken play for six points. It is a reason why Childers entered the summer camp as the No. 1 quar terback, because of his ability to make plays with his arm and legs.

MacDowall added a rushing touchdown Tuesday and had 28 yards on five carries. MacDowall led two touchdown drives while Richardson led one Tuesday. Although MacDowall had the highlight, Richardson has been the more efficient passer over the first two scrimmages.

With the first-team offense, Richardson capped a long drive with a one-yard touchdown run to open the scrimmage.

``When I came into [the quar terback competition] I came in like the No. 3 guy,'' Richardson said ``So I have to battle every day. That is my mind-set.'' Overall, the offense was better, fumbling twice, a stark improvement over the seven fumbles Saturday.

``Offensively we did a lot better,'' MacDowall said. ``We didn't have any turnovers. The offensive line did real well, the receivers did a real good job.''

Although the defense and all three quarterbacks had their moments, many questions _ including who will be the starting quarterback _ are still unans wered before the team faces Penn State in 17 days.

``[MacDowall] and Will both did some nice things,'' Coastal Carolina coach David Bennett said. ``We have a long way to go.

As a head coach you want your [offense and defense] to be on a see-saw [in scrimmages]. If one side beats the other one real bad, you are in trouble.''

Tuesday's scrimmage was originally scheduled for today, but was moved because of an unfavorable weather forecast.