Troy University Athletics
Whingter Shines During Football Scrimmage
4/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
One of the many questions facing the Troy football team following the 2004 season is how to replace all-time leading rusher DeWhitt Betterson.
Joel Whingter, a senior in 2005 from Augusta, Ga., did his part on Saturday to answer that question. Whingter got 31 carries during a Saturday morning scrimmage at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium, rushing for 125 yards and one touchdown.
In addition to his rushing, he also showed that he can catch the ball out of the backfield with two receptions for 41 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch and run from Carl Meadows.
"You can see our offense getting better every day in practice," Whingter said. "I just tried to follow the blocks and make the best of every carry."
The only negative on the day for Whingter were the two fumbles he lost. One was recovered by redshirt freshman Kenny Mainor and the other senior Bernard Davis.
"Protecting the football is something that we focus on every day, and I didn't do a good job of doing that today," Whingter said. "We have to run hills every time we fumble, and I know Coach (James) Joseph will be waiting for me on Monday."
While Whingter had a good day running the ball, Meadows, a junior from Cumming, Ga., had a good day throwing it. Despite a wind that gusted to well over 30 miles per hour during the scrimmage, Meadows completed 17-of-29 passes for 196 yards. He had the one touchdown pass to Whingter, but was intercepted three times.
"With the wind blowing the way it was out here today, I am impressed we were able to complete any passes," Trojans coach Larry Blakeney said. "Carl continues to improve and is working hard. Two of those interceptions were into the wind, which was just brutal."
Backup quarterback D.T. McDowell, a sophomore from Tucker, Ga., completed five of 20 passes for 58 yards. He was not intercepted and had a 30-yard TD pass to junior receiver James Earl Cray.
The top receiver on the day was junior Eugene Hampton with five catches for 62 yards. Sophomore Gary Banks had five catches as well, for 44 yards. Cray had just two catches during the scrimmage, but had 61 yards and a score.
The Troy defense was not without plenty of big plays as well. There were a total of 12 sacks recorded, including 4 ½ by sophomore defensive tackle Shawn Todd. Senior Gary Batts chipped in with three sacks. Senior Johnny Faulk had one of the three interceptions while sophomores Octavious Sumbry and Leodis McKelvin both had picks. Sumbry returned his interception 47 yards for a touchdown.
Other defensive standouts included Sherrod Martin (TFL/PBU), Maurice Coleman (1 ½ sacks), Leverne Johnson (1 ½ TFL/PBU) and Bernard Davis (PBU/FR).
The Trojans will conclude spring practice with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday and a final scrimmage next Saturday.
