August 19, 2000

BACKUP QUARTERBACK SHINES IN SATURDAY SCRIMMAGE;
JOHNSON PLEASED WITH FRESHMEN

GREENVILLE -- With several of his squad's veterans sidelined due to injuries, Furman head coach Bobby Johnson emerged from Saturday's two-hour scrimmage in Paladin Stadium pleased with the quality work of many of his team's younger players, and in particular sophomore quarterback Billy Napier (Chatsworth, Ga.).

"I thought Billy Napier had a very good day," said Johnson. "We're very confident in his ability to step into a game and pick up for Justin (Hill). We wanted Justin to get in there and get some action, which he did, but we didn't want to push him too much. We know what he can do."

Taking over for Hill, who has been slowed the last week with a strained calf muscle, Napier completed 6-of-8 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown, which came on a 41-yard strike to senior wide receiver Zach Smerdzinski (Vienna, Va.). Napier also rushed six times for 24 yards in the scrimmage, which highlighted Fan Day at Paladin Stadium.

With temperatures in the mid to upper 80s, nearly 10 degrees cooler than Friday's highs, Saturday's scrimmage went longer than usual, and Johnson said the extra time was productive for many Paladin newcomers.

"The quality of our freshmen and third team is better, and today we got a good long look at them, probably more so that would have been able to in the past due to the cooler temperatures," Johnson added.

Among the Paladin freshmen drawing praise were defensive end Glenn Smith (Mobile, Ala.) and wide receiver Isaac West (Augusta, Ga.). Freshman Danny Marshall (Atlanta, Ga.) also figured prominently into Saturday's scrimmage in competition with three other veterans for the squad's placekicking chores.

Smith, who took over for a shaken up Brandon Poole (Columbia, S.C.) in the early going, had three tackles and a fumble recovery.

"Glenn Smith is a guy we knew coming in who could make plays. That was evident on every high school film we saw last year. With a more size and strength, he can have a great career here."

West, meanwhile, stepped up with two receptions for 44 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown catch from reserve quarterback Brent Scoggins, leading Johnson to comment that "he (West) might be positioning himself for some playing time."

In the battle for the squad's placekicking chores, Marshall matched senior Jonathan Sproul in converting 6-of-7 field goal attempts, including a 41-yard effort.

Two freshman running backs, Lamar Rembert (Ocala, Fla.) and Corey Tant (Easley, S.C.), also registered plenty of action, with Rembert rushing 13 times for 44 yards and Tant totaling 42 yards on 10 carries.

The promising work of many of the Paladins' younger players was made possible by a number of veterans who were sidelined due to minor injuries. On offense, veteran wide receivers Bryant Huguley (Valley, Ala.), Bear Rinehart (Seneca, S.C.), and James Thomas (Marianna, Fla.), and tight end Graham Hunter (Knoxville, Tenn.) all sat out Saturday's scrimamge with hamstring strings. And on defense, nose guard Steve DeBeer (concussion) of Atlanta, Ga., and defensive end Eddie Overdyke (subluxed shoulder) from Lilburn, Ga., were unavailable.

"The defensive line had a long day today, but I thought Ryan Spencer (Clover) made some good plays in there. He's in the best shape of his life and could be a real key for us this year."

Furman, which returns 17 starters off its 9-3, 1999 Southern Conference championship, NCAA playoff squad, returns to the practice field with two practices on Monday beginning at 6:20 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. The Paladins open the 2000 season on Sept. 2 against Elon in Paladin Stadium.