Scrimmage primer

Some things to know heading into Thursday's 2 p.m. scrimmage at Princeton:

Junior Matt Polhemus (http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/polhemus_matt00.html) has been named starting quarterback and will get majority of 1 snaps. Polhemus has some Alvin Cowan in him, with the ability to run (and enjoy taking hits) and pass. He will make defenses stay on their toes and not just sit back.

Sophomore Ryan Fodor (http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fodor_ryan00.html) will get at least a series with the starters.

Freshman Richie Scudellari (http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/scudellari_richie00.html) will get some snaps with the 2s. Jack Siedlecki has been impressed with the 6-3 210 pounder from St. Francis in Saratoga, Calif. Siedlecki said he's been sharp and has a presence about him.

Freshman Matt Kelleher of Southington has been slowed by a sore back and not practiced in about a week.

Senior WR Ashley Wright , senior defensive end Brendan Sponheimer and junior defensive back John Coombs (http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/coombs_john00.html) will sit out the scrimmage.

Freshman Tom Mante will punt. This will be a big boost for Yale if he can be steady, giving Ashley Wright more time to rest. Mante played at Bishop Guertin, which went undefeated and won the state championship for the second consecutive year in 2005. He averaged 44 yards punting. He was 47 for 47 PATs, with two game-winning field goals, but junior Alan Kimball will hold onto his placekicking job.

Sophomore WR Ken Ebeling (http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ebeling_ken00.html) has been impressive in preseason, according to Siedlecki, and will get an opportunity to show off what he can do Thursday.

WR DJ Shooter, who made the catch of the year against Harvard last season, will also play Thursday.

Sophomore Kyle Hawari and Junior Brandt Hollander have been the leaders up front on defense, not a surprise since both came to Yale with high expectations. Yale should be very strong up front.

Sophomore Larry Abare is starting at safety and sophomore Casey Gerald and senior Kevin Littleon (returning after injury last season) will start at the corners.

I will not be attending the scrimmage, but will follow up on it.

For a complete Yale football notebook see Thursday's New Haven Register in hard copy.