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On a picture perfect football afternoon, the Cougars hosted Concordia-Moorhead in a preseason scrimmage at Big Cat Stadium with both teams testing out new personnel and strategies for the 2009 season.
The scrimmage opened with special teams play, each team running several kickoffs and punts in succession. Sophomore kicker Matt Privratsky sent several boots well deep into Cobber territory complemented by aggressive kick coverage by the special teams. The teams then switched into field goal formation during which the UMM kick team showed great improvement since last season.
On the offensive series, the Cougars rotated three quarterbacks who are still battling for playing time: returning sophomore Ted Hoffman, and freshmen Derrick Foss and Daniel Garrigan. Each showed flashes of good play, and the offense had success moving the ball against the Cobbers, largely behind the continued stellar running of sophomore running back Robert Koranda.
When Concordia ran offense the Cougars found themselves up against a team that fields nearly 100 players. While the Cobbers did move the ball, the Cougars displayed solid aggression and team speed on defense. Junior linebacker Adam Gertken said he was pleased to see his teammates “bringing the heat.” Defensive coordinator, Raven Battle, said the performance showed room for improvement but seemed generally pleased with the effort overall.
After the scrimmage, head coach Todd Hickman seemed upbeat but said the Cougars needed to continue “working on the small things.”
The Cougars open the 2009 season Saturday in Ellendale, N.D. when they visit Trinity Bible School.
The home opener is two weeks later, September 19, against UMAC foe, Westminster College.
- Elizabeth Grave
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