Open camp concluded with a longer than usual Saturday session that included many different types of game type situations, focused heavily early on the four minute and two-minute drill. This included the use of timeouts by both the offense and defense in order to preserve time on the clock.
*** For starters, the first two and even three units were heavily mixed and several proven players were held out or their reps were scaled back a great deal. This included reps for Obi Obialo, Artie Henry, Chris Jackson, and Nazeeh Johnson just to name a few.
*** The first session was led by Isaiah Green. Green moved the team down the field inside the forty-yard line. Then, on third and short Quinton Jordan crashed into the back field to stop Sheldon Evans in the backfield.
*** The next set of downs was led by Alex Thomson. He came out with a slant down the middle to grad transfer Joey Fields. That was followed up with a couple competitions to Broc Thompson and Corey Gammage before hitting Thompson with a perfectly thrown back shoulder throw for a touchdown.
*** One note, EJ Jackson lined up at safety.
*** Through the first three or four series, Jordan was clearly standing out. He had multiple big stops in the backfield, and a couple in which he was in the open field, one on one and had to either make the stop or give up big yards.
*** A little later was one of the more intense drives. The offense, led by Green had fourth and ten from the 35. Green laid a perfect ball into the hands of Armani Levias for a 25 yard gain. The offense, then lined up for around 7 plays inside the 8 yardline, due to penalties. The final play was what appeared to be an incredible touchdown catch by Stone Scarcelle. There was pass interference on the defense, and the series ended.
*** Freshman Broc Thompsonhad another good drive ending with a 36 year touchdown pass from Thomson. Broc (using first name for ease in this case) had a few good catches on the drive before the TD.
*** Sam Burton, freshman defensive end who was able to take advantage of the new redshirt rule last year and get some playing time as a freshman. Burton is a difference maker, and makes the defensive line position even deeper.
*** Knowledge McDaniel and Lawrence Papillon appear to be battling for the fourth running back position, and may be pushing Sheldon Evans for reps behind Brenden Knox and Tyler King. McDaniel had several strong runs early on in practice, with Papillon busting two long runs.
*** Two other defenders who continued to have strong camps were Quinlen Dean and Joey Maddox.
*** The play of the scrimmage could very well have been the 24 yard touchdown pass from Green to Xavier Gaines in the endzone. Gaines went up over the defender, and made a very “handsy” catch for the score.
Some notes:
EJ Jackson had at least three pass break ups.
Jaquan Yulee had two pass break ups.
J’Coryan Anderson had an interception, for the only turnover of the day, on a tipped ball by Grant Wells.
The kickers, both Justin Rohrwasser and Shane Ciucci, were both literally perfect on the day. In live type situations, I have only seen two misses since last Saturday’s scrimmage.
Some leftover notes from Friday:
*** Quarterbacks with some big arms. Unlike in the past, there are several quarterbacks to throw to the plethora of wide outs that we have on the roster this season. I remember a few years ago Tony Petersen was throwing some drills to take wear and tear off of the quarterbacks arms
*** Pie Young is here, and in white 23! Which means, he will be playing defense. Which is important since both Merrell and Jackson will be gone next season.
*** Hodge, Lanier, Hames and Couch along the front four to start out. Quinlon Dean getting some first team reps alongside Yulee.
*** Stone Scarcelle still the first wide out in to replace Obi with the ones.
*** Cumberlander is lining up on the outside at DE.
*** Grant Wells getting early second team reps, along with Knowledge McDaniel who is trying to separate himself from all of the younger running backs. Had two impressive runs in team drills.
*** Seemed to be less team drills today getting ready for a bigger scrimmage tomorrow. I have heard CUSA referees will be in attendance tomorrow to officiate.
*** Talik Keaton is a very good blocking wide receiver.
*** For starters, the first two and even three units were heavily mixed and several proven players were held out or their reps were scaled back a great deal. This included reps for Obi Obialo, Artie Henry, Chris Jackson, and Nazeeh Johnson just to name a few.
*** The first session was led by Isaiah Green. Green moved the team down the field inside the forty-yard line. Then, on third and short Quinton Jordan crashed into the back field to stop Sheldon Evans in the backfield.
*** The next set of downs was led by Alex Thomson. He came out with a slant down the middle to grad transfer Joey Fields. That was followed up with a couple competitions to Broc Thompson and Corey Gammage before hitting Thompson with a perfectly thrown back shoulder throw for a touchdown.
*** One note, EJ Jackson lined up at safety.
*** Through the first three or four series, Jordan was clearly standing out. He had multiple big stops in the backfield, and a couple in which he was in the open field, one on one and had to either make the stop or give up big yards.
*** A little later was one of the more intense drives. The offense, led by Green had fourth and ten from the 35. Green laid a perfect ball into the hands of Armani Levias for a 25 yard gain. The offense, then lined up for around 7 plays inside the 8 yardline, due to penalties. The final play was what appeared to be an incredible touchdown catch by Stone Scarcelle. There was pass interference on the defense, and the series ended.
*** Freshman Broc Thompsonhad another good drive ending with a 36 year touchdown pass from Thomson. Broc (using first name for ease in this case) had a few good catches on the drive before the TD.
*** Sam Burton, freshman defensive end who was able to take advantage of the new redshirt rule last year and get some playing time as a freshman. Burton is a difference maker, and makes the defensive line position even deeper.
*** Knowledge McDaniel and Lawrence Papillon appear to be battling for the fourth running back position, and may be pushing Sheldon Evans for reps behind Brenden Knox and Tyler King. McDaniel had several strong runs early on in practice, with Papillon busting two long runs.
*** Two other defenders who continued to have strong camps were Quinlen Dean and Joey Maddox.
*** The play of the scrimmage could very well have been the 24 yard touchdown pass from Green to Xavier Gaines in the endzone. Gaines went up over the defender, and made a very “handsy” catch for the score.
Some notes:
EJ Jackson had at least three pass break ups.
Jaquan Yulee had two pass break ups.
J’Coryan Anderson had an interception, for the only turnover of the day, on a tipped ball by Grant Wells.
The kickers, both Justin Rohrwasser and Shane Ciucci, were both literally perfect on the day. In live type situations, I have only seen two misses since last Saturday’s scrimmage.
Some leftover notes from Friday:
*** Quarterbacks with some big arms. Unlike in the past, there are several quarterbacks to throw to the plethora of wide outs that we have on the roster this season. I remember a few years ago Tony Petersen was throwing some drills to take wear and tear off of the quarterbacks arms
*** Pie Young is here, and in white 23! Which means, he will be playing defense. Which is important since both Merrell and Jackson will be gone next season.
*** Hodge, Lanier, Hames and Couch along the front four to start out. Quinlon Dean getting some first team reps alongside Yulee.
*** Stone Scarcelle still the first wide out in to replace Obi with the ones.
*** Cumberlander is lining up on the outside at DE.
*** Grant Wells getting early second team reps, along with Knowledge McDaniel who is trying to separate himself from all of the younger running backs. Had two impressive runs in team drills.
*** Seemed to be less team drills today getting ready for a bigger scrimmage tomorrow. I have heard CUSA referees will be in attendance tomorrow to officiate.
*** Talik Keaton is a very good blocking wide receiver.
