Toledo Sees a Few Things He Likes

Preseason practice was declared over Saturday, with a scrimmage before about 500 people at Spaulding Field, and game-week practice begins Monday in preparation for UCLA’s traveling to Washington State.

And the reports are in.

Or, at least, the good things have been noted by the coaching staff.

One has been the play of Larry Atkins at strong safety, Coach Bob Toledo said after watching about 100 plays. Another has been the play of Mike Grieb, who started last season’s opener at Tennessee, suffered a sprained ankle and never quite got fully back into the offense.

The third has been Jim McElroy, UCLA’s best receiver and game-breaker.

And finally, there is Drew Bennett, the backup quarterback who is a redshirt freshman walk-on who has never played a college down.

“I feel a lot better about him,” Toledo said. “I feel confident that if something happens [to starter Cade McNown] that Drew can step in and run the offense.”

Bennett was impressive in the scrimmage, launching 40-yard touchdown passes to Rodney Lee and freshman Cody Joyce.

Ryan Roques, who has been injured through most of the preseason and has fallen behind in his quest to gain playing time at cornerback, intercepted one pass, and Skip Hicks took the first snap from scrimmage 80 yards for a touchdown.

The lone casualty of the scrimmage was backup tackle Dan Cotti, who limped off the field for a knee examination and ice. Toledo said the examination of Cotti, one of eight offensive linemen likely to get extensive playing time, was merely precautionary.