Sunday, April 04, 1999
Bonner takes lead in UK quarterback derby
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Throwing for five touchdowns and 322 yards in Kentucky's first spring scrimmage, Dusty Bonner took the lead in the team's three-way quarterback competition Saturday.
“I think Dusty probably moved himself a little ahead there,” coach Hal Mumme said after the rain-soaked scrimmage at Kentucky's Nutter Training Center. “Obviously, he made the most plays. We like scoring around here, and Dusty got scores for us.”
Bonner, a sophomore-to-be who redshirted last season, completed 21-of-34 attempts and had a pair of scoring passes to Quentin McCord and single touchdowns to James Whalen, Edgar Gantt and Jimmy Robinson. He threw one interception, on a screen, to defensive end Anwar Stewart.
Mumme said he would watch film of the scrimmage before deciding whether to make the 6-foot-2, 205-pound native of Valdosta, Ga., the starter, perhaps as early as Monday.
“We want to get to the starter as fast as possible,” Mumme said. “When we're comfortable with it, we'll make a decision, or I'll make a decision.
“The worst thing we can do is just put this thing off,” he added. “Once we know a guy's risen and he's really someone we feel comfortable with, how much more can we come out and do this where you just muddle the issue? At some point, you have to say, "I'm going to do this.'”
Mumme and offensive coordinator Chris Hatcher said the three quarterbacks were rated evenly going into Saturday's scrimmage. By the end of the two-hour session, though, Bonner was a clear leader, followed by Mike Scipione then Chase Harp.
Scipione, a redshirt freshman from Centreville, Va., was 11-of-16 for 155 yards and one touchdown, a 69-yarder to McCord. He also drove the offense to a running touchdown. Harp, a redshirt freshman out of Danville, was just 4-of-10 for 36 yards and no scores.
“Scipione started out like a house afire and I'll tell you, he's still pretty much in the hunt,” Mumme said. “I thought Chase never could really get it going, he could never seem to string some plays together.”
Bonner is the only of the three with college experience. In 1997, as Tim Couch's backup, he was 10-of-14 for 114 yards in mop-up appearances. Mumme recalled Bonner's first pass as a collegian was a fourth-down touchdown.
“I just think he's pretty unflappable,” Mumme said. “When he makes mistakes, it doesn't bother him.”
Mumme said Bonner has worked hard to address concerns about his arm strength.
“You can tell he's really worked hard on his arm,” he said. “The thing I liked the most is we scored a lot when he was in there. I like scoring.”
Couch, who led Kentucky to a 7-5 record and an Outback Bowl berth in his junior season, then left to enter the NFL draft, attended the scrimmage wearing a Philadelphia Eagles cap.
The Eagles hold the No.2 pick in this month's draft, after the Cleveland Browns, who are also considering picking Couch.
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