Running Backs Lead the Way in Second SFA Scrimmage
8/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2001
Nacogdoches - In a role reversal from the first scrimmage, the Stephen F. Austin running backs took center stage Saturday night at Homer Bryce Stadium in the team's second scrimmage. The Lumberjack ground game piled up 267 yards on 42 carries.
Senior Taylor Bunch (Clinton, La.) led the way with seven carries for 67 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown scamper on his first carry of the game. Freshmen Thomas Williams (Ft Worth, Texas) and Tony Tompkins (Port Arthur, Texas) also looked impressive. Tompkins rushed for 57 yards on eight carries including a 46-yard run to the one yard line to set up the Lumberjacks' second touchdown. Williams finished the scrimmage with 54 yards on eight carries, including a 36-yard gallop.
The Lumberjacks' defense also came up big, picking off four passes. Sophomore Jammal Cato (Copperas Cove, Texas) intercepted freshman Michael Williams' (Houston, Texas) second pass and returned it 18 yards. Sophomore Brent Hafford (Jasper, Texas) picked off a Williams' pass at the 10-yard line and returned 10 yards for the score. Junior Braxton O'Banion (Houston, Texas) and freshman Jeremy Davis (The Colony, Texas) also intercepted a pass.
Junior Matt Williford (Allen, Texas) was the most effective quarterback for SFA , going 7-of-9 for 57 yards as well as carrying the ball twice for 18 yards. Senior Wes Pate (Arp, Texas) was 6-of-14 for 53 yards and threw one interception. Freshman Zeke Dixon (Westlake, La.) and Williams were a combined 4-of-17 for 68 yards and three interceptions.
The Lumberjacks kick-off the 2001 regular season Saturday, Sept. 1, against Portland State. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.
