The Falcons are now officially ready to get the 2005 season underway.

Displaying some tired legs but a lot of energy, the Falcons took the field at Doyt Perry Stadium to play their second scrimmage to get ready for the new season.

The defense was missing bodies, with a lot of players nicked up with injuries, as is usual at the back end of a training camp.

‘I think we’re a little leg weary today,’ said Coach Gregg Brandon.

That weariness led to a lot of holding plays by the defense, but they also had a number of solid spurts where they clamped down on the first and second team offenses. The defense was also able to play the passing lanes well and had a number of deflections and near interceptions.

Brandon has spent most of training camp with a significant amount of defensive players missing.

‘Defensively we just haven’t had everybody healthy,’ Brandon said. ‘But that’s coming… I know those guys will be there for us because they’re proven players.’

The first team, led by quarterback Omar Jacobs and receiver Charles Sharon, had a number of nice drives.

There were few highlight plays, but many quick and efficient passing patterns that picked apart the secondary six yards at a time.

‘I’m really not too concerned offensively,’ said Brandon. ‘I think the first offense did a nice job moving the ball down the field.’

Some on the field highlights included a 30-yard touchdown reception by Corey Partridge.

He was able to split through defenders down the middle of the field to get open and twisted and turned his way into the end zone.

Partridge, who was redshirted last season, has been impressive throughout the spring and leading into the fall season.

In the spring game earlier in the year he had six catches for 140 yards and three touchdowns.

Another moment that had those in attendance taking notice was some redemption for kicker Joe Timchenko.

The embattled Timchenko, who had a poor scrimmage last Saturday, boomed a 47-yard-kick through the uprights with room to spare.

‘He did a nice job,’ Brandon said. ‘He showed some flashes.’

Not only was the scrimmage a good sign for the Falcons going into this season, but also a good sign for the future with a lot of young players, including Partridge, defensive end Devon Parks and defensive back Calvin Wiley, getting extended reps and showing some promise.

‘I thought those two young backs really ran the ball well,’ said Brandon.

Those two young backs being Chris Bullock and Bobby Thomas. Both were able to reach the outside and turn the corner throughout the scrimmage.

But perhaps the best moment of the day was at the very end, after all the snaps were taken and the team was huddled around the middle of the field.

As Brandon addressed the team he singled out two players, Jon Jacubowski and Andrew Standford. Both players grew up in the northwest Ohio area Rossford and Toledo respectively.

‘We usually keep a couple scholarships tucked away for days like these,’ Brandon told the team.

After congratulating Jacubowski personally, teammates ganged up and congratulated him with hugs and head slaps.

‘He’s been in the program for two years now and he’s just gotten better and better and he’s just a quality kid and he’s very deserving,’ Brandon said.