May 3, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Running back Duncan Sherrard (So., Seattle/Roosevelt) rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries as Western Washington University completed spring football practice with a controlled scrimmage at Civic Stadium on Saturday.

Quarterback Josh Shimek (Sr., Pasco) threw a 4-yard pass to slotback Nate Kuhns (Sr., Yakima/Eisenhower) for the first touchdown of the day, and the defense also had a touchdown, as cornerback Brett Hall (So., ,Kennewick) returned an interception 62 yards for a score.

Placekicker Michael Koenen (Jr., Ferndale) completed the scoring, hitting all three extra-point attempts and also connecting on a 49-yard field goal.

"Scrimmages can be hard on head coaches," said Western head coach Rob Smith (15th year) after his team's third scrimmage of the spring. "When one unit does well, you worry about the other. But both sides did some things well today."

Sherrard was one of a trio of running backs to perform well Saturday. Jake Carlyle (So., Olympia) had seven carries for 25 yards and also advanced a fumble 37 yards after a reception to set up the Kuhns' touchdown. Justin Balunsat (Lake Stevens), a freshman walk-on, rushed for 35 yards on seven carries and had two receptions for 29 yards.

At quarterback, Shimek completed 8-of-16 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. The other returning quarterback from last season, Steve Nichols (Jr., Stevenson), was 8-of-15 for 87 yards with one interception.

"It's a good situation, we have two quarterbacks who both threw for 1,000 yards last season and are entering their fifth season in the program," said Smith. "We'll make a decision and name one of them as number one."

The top receiving target was wide receiver Andy Olson (So., Chehalis/W.F. West), who completed an excellent spring by making five catches for 88 yards.

Defensively, Western used the spring to introduce a 3-4 system that takes advantage of its depth at linebacker.

"It has shown us some things," Smith said. "It's built for linebackers, they're able to run around in it. We used the 3-4 almost exclusively this spring, but we'll continue to examine what we're doing defensively and how we can best utilize our personnel."

Linebacker Jeff Parks (R-Fr., Graham/Bethel), a transfer from Boise State, had two sacks and another tackle for loss Saturday, and Hall had a pass breakup in addition to his interception. Hall is the lone returning letter winner on the corner.

"Our cornerbacks are working hard and making progress," Smith said. "They've done everything we've asked of them. Brett Hall had a nice interception and overall our defense was ball-hawking a bit today."

"We've made progress this spring," said Smith. "This group is very willing to work and get better. We're very young, and this was the first chance for a lot of players to show what they could do."

Western opens its 2003 season by hosting St. Cloud State, Minn., on Thurs., Sept. 4, at Civic Stadium.