Aug. 22, 2001

WACO, Texas - Baylor conducted its second major scrimmage of the fall Tuesday, and while Head Coach Kevin Steele saw some positives with his team's effort and intensity, he knows they still have work ahead in order to reach the level of execution that he and the Baylor coaching staff would like to see.

"We worked them pretty hard prior to the scrimmage, and we're still in a two-a-day mode, so they really don't have their legs back yet," Steele said. "We wanted to look at some things today that aren't in our normal offense or defense, so our execution wasn't really what we want it to be.

"I saw guys fight through things. I saw some guys who made mistakes bounce back and make a play. In that regard, there were some positives out there. But we aren't where we need to be yet."

The Bears scrimmaged without left tackles Jon Erickson and Charles Bungert. Erickson is out indefinitely with mononucleosis, while Bungert missed Wednesday's workout with a shoulder strain. Working with the first unit offensive line in their place was true freshman Quintin Outland, who held his own during the scrimmage.

"Quintin has a chance to be a special player," Steele said. "There aren't many true freshmen who could step in and perform the way he has in the short time he's been out here."

Offensive linemen Derek Long (neck), Ryan McDaniel (knee) and Chris Sipes (ankle) also missed Wednesday's practice.

Starting defensive tackle Ryan Gillenwater returned to the practice field Wednesday after missing Tuesday with back spasms.

Baylor will practice again Thursday and Friday before taking the weekend off. The Bears open the 2001 season Sept. 8 at home against Arkansas State.