Oct. 25, 2008
Norfolk, Va. – The ODU Blue Team outgained the ODU White Team by 150 total yards behind Nick Mayers’ three catches for 136 yards, but Michael R. Williams’ 40-yard interception return gave the White Team a 17-16 victory in the Monarchs second intrasquad scrimmage of the fall.
After a scoreless first quarter, Devon Simmons picked off Blue quarterback Bobby Cooper to give the White Team the ball at the 33 yard line. However, the White Team managed to gain just two yards before settling for a 48-yard field goal by Drew Hareza.
The Blue Team countered on the ensuing drive, using a 39-yard reception by Reid Evans who made the grab despite defensive pass interference by Simmons. An 11-yard run by Mayers put the ball at the 1 yard line and Cooper took it in from there for a 7-3 Blue lead.
Defense led to the White Teams second score of the day as well, after defensive lineman Chris Burnette intercepted a Tommy Reamon pass and returned it 57 yards to the Blue 9. Two plays later, receiver Desmond Williams took a direct snap and barreled in from a yard out giving the White Team 10 points off of two Blue turnovers.
Facing a 2nd-and-20 from their own 25 yard line, Dan Pitts connected with Mayers on a wide receiver screen and it was three broken tackles and 65 yards later before T.J. Cowart could bring him down at the Blue 10 yard line. Pitts put the Blue Team back out in front 14-10 with a strike to former quarterback Fred Credle who found his way into the end zone despite taking a shot from a defender.
An intentional grounding call on Reamon backed the White up to their own 1 yard line and on 1st-and-44 a holding call in the end zone resulted in a safety and a Blue 16-10 advantage with 8:53 remaining.
Ahead by six and with the possession of the ball, things appeared to be going well for the Blue Team. However, the White defense once again answered the call. Under pressure from a host of White defenders, Pitts dropped back and looked for a receiver in the left flat. Unfortunately, he never saw Williams who jumped the route and intercepted the ball at the 40 and raced in untouched for the game-winning score.
Despite being outgained 253 yards to 104, the White Team five turnovers on three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Burnette led the way with six tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception return for 57 yards.
The Monarch quarterbacks struggled on both sides, completing just 17-of-36 pass attempts with four interceptions.