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Show 'Bird defens.e dominates Saturday's scrimmage Before SUU's scrimmage Saturday, Defensive Coordinator Chris Howard told his linemen to "go hard, have fun, make plays, and do what you think a football player should do. Apparently, they listened, as the defense was dominant in what may be the team's only full pre-season scrimmage this fall . The line, led by senior noseguard Mana Kula (Granger HS), kept constant pressure on the Thunderbird quarterbacks, notching four sacks, three more tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions as well as forcing a pair of fumbles. The first defense also managed to shut down the first team's vaunted mshing attack. "I realJy can't single anyone out, we just did a great job today," Howard said. "The line did a great job, but if we want to win more than six games this year the line is going to have to come. through, consistently. "Our defense was dominant," Head Coach C. Ray Gregory said. "We are vastly improved (defensively) over last year. We run better, we 're more physical and we're deeper. The defense now feels Like it can compete with the offense, which has made all the noise around here the last couple of years. Individually, end Blake Bingham (Altamont HS), who switched from wide receiver d uring spring ball , notched a sack-and-a-half, Brody Benson (Granger HS) and Howard Faagata (Long Beach CC) had a sack each and Clay Marshall n had a half. Randy Hunter (Granger HS) intercepted an Eri.c Sohm Gordan HS) pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown , while Chad Hunrsman also had an interception as welJ as a tacklefor-loss. The turnovers were particularly bothersome for Gregory. "We did everything that'll get·you beat today," he said. "We threw interceptions, we fumbled the ball and we didn't throw the ball well. That's where we need to start working Monday, we need to get back to taking better care of the ball." Sophomore quarterback Matt Cannon (Highland HS), w ho finished with 102 yards mshing, including an 80-yard touchdown run, was philosophical about the defense's dominance, while Kula has his own opinion. "I think it's kind of good for the offense to get handled like that · sometimes," Cannon said. "That keeps you from getting overconfident, keeps you motivated. But one thing is for sure, the defense is improved, there was some hard hitting going on out there today. " "The defense is better this year, but I think the offense just had an off day," Kula said . "We know our offense. is hard to stop, so stopping them like we did gives the defense confidence, but we also know this offense can play better than they did today. " · The season is set co start Sept. 12, at Montana. ® . All American Food .FREE A&W ROOT BEER FLOAT (With purchase of any A&.W Root ~eer Float of equal or greater value) Good only at participating locations. Limit five coupons per person per visit. Please present coupon before ordering. Offer not good with an.Y other discounts or coupons. Expires 10/30/98 (3 5ig & 5eau.tiful & Little & Lovel_y "For the very J5fg and f5eautifu/ woman and for the ver.9 Little and Love/g woman - Ver.9 ta// and very small and the woman inbeiween." 1 0 % Discount for students with student JD. All Amfrk 1t11 Food We also specialize in Men's and Children's clothing. Good only at participating locations. Limit five coupons per person per visit. Please present coupon before ordering. Offer not good with any other discounts or coupons. Expires 10/30/98 1744 West Royal Hunte (Near Cross Hollows Jr. High) Across from Rodeo Grounds. 867-5840 236 South Main St. 867-8708 / |