Freshman quarterbacks draw praise from Hollis
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE PRESS SERVICESJONESBORO -- Arkansas State's freshman quarterbacks turned a few heads when the Indians went through a controlled workout during Fan Appreciation Day at Indian Stadium on Saturday.
ASU newcomers Josh Driscoll and Elliott Jacobs ran and threw the football well during the two-hour drill before a crowd of over 1,000. Scrimmaging was limited because the team has been hit with injuries this week.
"We met at 7 o'clock Saturday morning, and I pretty well had my mind made up," Coach Joe Hollis said. "We're in a situation where we don't need to turn a three- or four-day injury into a two- or three-week injury. Numbers are something we are always concerned about. We've got to do what's best for our football team."
Hollis heaped praise on his young players, especially the quarterbacks.
"We wanted to get them a lot of looks," Hollis said. "We played all four consistently all day long, but our two freshmen got the most reps, and that was by design."
Even with the absence of receiver Mark Hamilton, who is out with a knee injury, Driscoll and Jacobs connected with a combination of newcomers and veterans, including James Hickenbotham and Alvin Powell. Powell, a 6-1, 194-pound senior, caught two 50-yard touchdown strikes.
Hollis was also pleased with the defensive effort, singling out the play of lineman Brian Rucker.
Hollis said the team will not practice today but will meet and evaluate film.
This article was published on August 19, 2001
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