PHOTO GALLERY

April 18, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - It didn't take long for the offense to score in a spring scrimmage on Saturday but that would prove to be the exception as the Fordham defense allowed just three scores in 95 plays on Murphy Field.

The offense came out and after David Moore gained 18 yards on two carries, quarterback John Skelton found his brother, Stephen Skelton, open over the middle and Stephen Skelton brought it to the end zone for the score.

The second team offense then moved the ball from its own 30 to the defense's 47 where quarterback Clayton Busch was sacked on third down and the offense punted the ball away.

The defense then forced the offense to consecutive three-and-outs on the next two series, with the offense hampering itself with a pair of penalties. The offense gained a first down on the next drive but couldn't move the ball past its own 36 as the defense was aided by a Darzell Wright sack of Skelton on third down and ten.

On the next series, the offense took over on its own 31 and Busch picked up a quick first down with a 14-yard carry and, two plays later, Darryl Robinson gave the offense another first down with a six-yard gain. The offense moved the ball down to the defense's 49 but a Jamir Livingston carry on third down and 15 gained only five and the offense punted the ball.

The offense scored another touchdown on the ensuing possession, starting the drive on the defense's 13 yard line. The defense held on the first two plays, allowing just one yard, but on third down John Skelton found Jon Arnold on the left side and Arnold took it in for the score.

After the defense held the offense to three plays, the offense took over on its own 39 and used another long Skelton-to-Skelton pass play to set up a score. On the first play of the drive, John Skelton found Stephen Skelton over the middle with Stephen Skelton able to corral a bouncing ball for a 52-yard gain, placing the ball on the nine. On the next play, Whiting took it in for the score.

The defense would then buckle down, holding the offense to four straight three-and-outs, led by the play of linemen Patrick McGee and Jordan Bledsoe.

The offense threatened on the next series, moving from its own 30 to the defense's 31 where an Adam Majorie 49-yard field goal was wide left.

The offense would cross midfield only twice more the rest of the way, the final time on the last series of the day. The big play of the drive was a completion over the middle from John Skelton to Jason Caldwell with Caldwell breaking tackles and bringing the ball down to the defense's 23 for a 46-yard gain. But the drive would stall on the eight where Majorie, who converted all three PATs on the day, closed out the scrimmage with a 29-yard field goal.

Following the scrimmage, members of the team went inside to assist with the Special Olympics basketball skills competition.

The Rams will close out the spring practice season with the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 25th, at 11:00 a.m. on Murphy Field.