Murray State University Athletics
Racers Wrap Up Spring Drills With Saturday Scrimmage
4/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Murray State football players receive their 2002 Ohio Valley Conference championship rings on Thursday night. After that brief look back on the success of last season, it's back to work to try and earn another championship ring in 2003.
MSU will conclude its three-week spring practice session Saturday with a final scrimmage at 10 a.m. on the football practice fields behind Roy Stewart Stadium. The public is invited to attend and there will be no charge.
"We've had a good spring and we want to finish on a high note Saturday," said Racer head coach Joe Pannunzio. "I feel like we've made some improvements in several areas and now we just want to get after it Saturday and have some fun."
With several key players back from last year's NCAA Division I-AA Playoff team back, there has been little change in schemes or philosophy. According to Pannunzio, the team's main focus was shoring up a few areas hit especially hard by graduation.
"We came into the spring fairly solid on both sides of the ball, but one area of concern is on the offensive line where we lost five starters and a key reserve," said the fourth-year coach. "We've moved guys from the defensive line over to the offensive line and thrown in some young guys, but they've actually done a lot better than we expected.
"We really addressed this issue in recruiting and expect to have several guys who can step in and play right away for us this fall, but we're really excited about the depth we've built this spring."
Defensively, the areas hit hardest by graduation were on the defensive line and at the cornerback position. A couple of newcomers up front, as well as improved play by some backups from a year ago, have the Racer coaches feeling pretty good about the defensive tackle and defensive end positions.
"We lost three impact players up front in James Bridges, Cedric Harden and Jason Myers, but we might be better this fall up front because of the depth we've been able to add," said Pannunzio. "I don't know if there's a Bridges or Harden in that group right now, but we've got several guys who are going to play major roles for us next season."
The cornerback position lost both starters, as seniors Mandrell McGregory and Malcolm Moore exhausted their eligibility last fall. Senior-to-be Michael Hanley, a transfer from Indiana University, has stepped in to man one corner spot, while the other remains open.
Each spring certain players emerge as surprises and this year has been exception. Offensively, sophomore tailback Ron Lane has stepped up his play, as well as the receiving corps and sophomore center Justin Ard. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Dylan Evans, junior defensive tackle Brandon Dixson and junior defensive end Marcus Johnson have all stood out thus far.
