By Ed McGranahan.

By Ed McGranahan

Nothing that happened Wednesday during the first stadium scrimmage of spring seemed to interrupt the optimism. Coach Dabo Swinney “saw a lot of good things,” adding that the team was further along this spring than a year ago – “just night and day from where we were in the first scrimmage last spring.”

“This is kind of the halfway point. We’re entering into the second half of spring ball,” he said. “I was pretty anxious to see them play.”

Asked to grade the progress, Swinney didn’t respond directly, complimenting the staff for the effort that’s been put into it and the amount of detail that’s being coached.

“I would give our team a very, very high grade, too, in that they’re responding,” he said.

Quarterback Tajh Boyd posted less than stellar numbers – 5 of 15 passing for 55 yards, a touchdown and an interception by corner Bashaud Breeland, who’s grateful to be back with the team after undergoing surgery in December to repair a groin injury. Breeland said he was fit for winter conditioning and only occasionally feels a twinge.

Cole Stoudt probably gained additional traction in securing the backup job for another season, completing 6 of 9 for 113 yards and two touchdowns, though Chad Kelly didn’t lose much ground, completing 8 of 14 for 71 yards and a touchdown.

“I thought our quarterbacks were solid,” Swinney said. “I thought Cole was incredibly confident. Chad Kelly made some nice throws.”

Trying to earn a pardon from a suspension before the bowl game for academic transgressions, Martavis Bryant caught three passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns. Though the talent is unequivocal, Swinney tempered his enthusiasm given Bryant’s history. “He doesn’t have anything in the bank.”

Swinney admitted the offense lacked the crispness that comes from mixing and matching as they search for the perfect blend. Rod McDowell rushed for 58 yards on 5 carries and C.J. Davidson totaled 70 and a touchdown on 7 carries.

“You’re a mixed bag when you don’t have the continuity. We’re mixing and matching on the offensive line, a lot of different guys in and out,” he said. “The quarterbacks are mixing and matching. We’re doing a lot of different things.”

Swinney said he expects “a lot of improvement” before the next scrimmage, though injuries thinned the defense. Cornerback Martin Jenkins (recovering from sports hernia), linebacker Tony Steward (hyper-extended knee) and Jadar Johnson (dislocated elbow) were either limited or out.

“We rep three groups,” Swinney said. “We get thin real quick when we get into the second group.”

Defense in particular continued to make huge strides in Brent Venables’ second spring Swinney said, and he was encouraged by “the players I know can play.”

“From an execution standpoint, we’re nowhere near an A, but, as far as the process that we’re in, halfway through, I’m very pleased,” he said. “I think the guys have come everyday with a good attitude, a good work ethic.

“That’s all you can ask for, at this point. You can challenge them in a lot of areas. As long as they keep responding, that’s fine.”