April 2, 2009

"All of the fans in attendance made for a great, great emotional atmosphere with a lot of energy, so we really appreciate that," said head coach Art Briles. "We weren't trying to set any records or create new opportunities for people. We are just trying to get in and get out and stay injury free with a little bit of production and I think we did that.

"We really feel good about the direction we are going and about how we are going to get there. What we have to do is turn it into reality on the field, but that is going to happen and we are very confident of that."

Griffin, last season's Big 12 Freshman of the Year, played roughly half of the scrimmage and added a one yard rushing touchdown to go along with his three aerial scores, while racking up 41 yards on the ground.

In total, Griffin had a hand in four of the Bears' five touchdowns during the controlled scrimmage.

The three passing touchdowns by Griffin were to three different receivers as junior running back Jay Finley took a screen pass 60 yards on just the third play run by the first team offense. Griffin completed 19-of-25 passes on the day.

Justin Akers and Brad Taylor also hauled in touchdown receptions from 35 yards and 43 yards respectively.

Senior signal-caller Blake Szymanski finished the scrimmage with 113 yards through the air, connecting on 17 of his 29 attempts.

Freshman Jared Salubi carried the ball a scrimmage-high 12 times for 40 yards, while junior Jay Finley chipped in with 27 yards on six carries. Andrew Pierce led the Baylor ground game with 52 yards on five carries, 48 of those coming on a touchdown scamper by the junior from Mesquite, Texas.

Kendall Wright, who returned to the Baylor football last week after spending most of the spring season with the men's basketball team, led a Baylor receiving corps that amassed 458 receiving yards. Wright, a sophomore from Pittsburg, Texas, pulled down five catches for 68 yards. Senior tight end Justin Akers hauled in four receptions for 61 yards and a score.

Jeremy Williams anchored the Baylor defense with eight tackles. Linebacker Rodney Chadwick tallied six tackles, while Earl Patin and Antonio Johnson each had five respectively. Michael Williams tallied the lone pick of the game as he stepped in front a Griffin pass inside the five-yard line.

The Bears report to campus for fall camp Aug. 5 and will go through their first workout Aug. 6. Baylor will open its 2009 season on Sept. 5 as they travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. to take on Wake Forest.

BAYLOR SCRIMMAGE STATISTICS:

Scoring Plays:
Jay Finley 60 yd pass from Robert Griffin (Parks PAT)
Robert Griffin 1 yd run (Parks PAT)
Justin Akers 35 yd pass from Robert Griffin (Parks PAT)
Andre Pierce 48 yd run (Stone PAT)
Brad Taylor 43 yd pass from Robert Griffin (Parks PAT)

Rushing (Att-Yards-TD):
Jarred Salubi, 12-40-0; Robert Griffin, 10-41-1; Jay Finley, 6-27-0; Andre Pierce, 5-52-1; Blake Szymanski, 4-18-0; Caleb McEachern, 2-48-0; Tyler DeLoach, 2-0-0; Brad Taylor, 1-28-0; Nick Florence, 1-6-0; Justin Fenty, 1- (-3)-0

Passing (Att-Comp-Yards-INT-TD):
Robert Griffin, 25-19-310-1-3; Blake Szymanski, 29-17-113-0-0; Tyler DeLoach, 4-2-28-0-0; Nick Florence, 3-1-7-0-0

Receiving (Rec-Yards-TD):
Kendall Wright, 5-68-0; Justin Akers, 4-61-1; Terrance Williams, 4-41-0; Kyle Mitchell, 4-28-0; Justin Fenty, 4-20-0; Ernest Smith, 3-30-0; Michael Valdez, 2-24-0; Travis McClain, 2-24-0; Jared Salubi, 2-2-0; Jay Finley, 1-60-1; Brad Taylor, 1-43-1; Krys Buerck, 1-15-0; Stacy Williams, 1-17-0; Andrew Sowder, 1-11-0; Lanear Sampson, 1-9-0; Bryan Swindoll, 1-5-0; Matt Singletary, 1-4-0

Interceptions (No.-Yards-TD):
Michael Williams, 1-3-0

Punting (No.-Yards-Avg.):
Derek Epperson, 2-83-41.5

Tackles:
Jeremy Williams, 8; Rodney Chadwick, 6; Antonio Johnson,5; Earl Patin, 5; Antareis Bryan, 4; Tim Atchison, 4; Jared Edwards, 4; Antonio Jones, 4; Jordan Lake, 4; Logan Lanier, 4; Gary Mason Jr., 4; Elliot Coffey, 3; Chris Francis, 3; Reggie Rice, 3; Jeremy Sanders, 3; Trentson Hill, 2; Jameon Hardeman, 3; Romie Blaylock, 2; Dominique Criss, 2; Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, 2; Alex Kushneir, 2; Joe Pawelek, 2; Phil Taylor, 2; Trey Bryant, 1; Raylon Edwards, 1; Ahmad Jenkins, 1; Kaeron Johnson, 1; Jenner Jones, 1; Tyler Pratt, 1; Tracy Robertson, 1; Michael Williams, 1

POST-SCRIMMAGE QUOTES FROM Art Briles

On the confidence level of the team:
"Confidence comes through results and accomplishment. We really feel good about the direction we are going and about how we are going to get there and why we are going to get there. What we have to do is turn it into reality on the field, but that is going to happen and we are very confident of that. These guys believe and they believe because they understand. What we have to do now is equate it to victories on the field."

On whether his goals were accomplished this spring:
"I think so, it always goes by so fast, you got slow down and look it. Think where you were at day one and now where you are at day 15. I think we improved this spring without a doubt. What we want to do is make people respect us throwing the football offensively. I think we did that. We want to be creative running the football. I think we did that. We want aggressive physically and systematically. Coach Norwood and his staff certainly did that. And we want to be solid in the special teams and we are going to be that."

On where the team goes from here:
"Now we will recharge a little bit and get ready to start competing for August and be ready to go then."

On Jared Salubi:
"He is a scamp back with a little bit of strength. He will fool you with his weight because he is about 194 or pounds and he doesn't look that big. Very explosive, great balance and really carries the ball with a lot of passion, so he is really a tough runner."

On Terrance Williams:
"Terrance has had an outstanding camp. He is a guy that we feel very confident about being on our football team, because he is a person that understands the game, he is very instinctive, and he keeps his body in full control when the ball is in the air. He has definitely had one of the better springs."