'Jacks Sharp In Friday Night Scrimmage
4/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 5, 2002
The Lumberjacks wrapped up the second week of spring practice with a sharp, 90-play scrimmage Friday night at Homer Bryce Stadium. The offense scored three touchdowns and added a pair of field goals on the defensive units which also made its share of plays.
The SFA offense rolled up 508 yards of offense, balancing things with 289 yards passing and 219 yards on the ground. Three Lumberjack quarterbacks - Matt Williford, Michael Williams and Zeke Dixon combined to complete 21 of 37 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown. Williford was 8-10 on the night for 77 yards and an interception, while Michael Williams was 7-13 for 88 yards and an interception. Redshirt freshman Zeke Dixon went 6-14 passing for 130 yards, including the only touchdown of the night, a 65-yarder to RB Tony Tompkins. Tompkins caught a Dixon screen pass in the flat and turned it up field and scored.
The 'Jacks also ran the ball 49 times for 219 yards, with several backs having good nights. Eric Chapman led the way with 11 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. Chapman scored on the second series of the night from 22-yards out on a nifty run up the middle. Michael Williams also added 51 yards on 10 carries, and Williford also added 35 yards on four tries. Williford scored from a yard out. Zeke Dixon also carried the ball five times for 24 yards and a touchdown, also scoring on a sneak to cap a nice drive by the offense.
Tompkins was the leading receiver in the scrimmage with the work spread among 13 different receivers. Tompkins ended the night with two receptions for 83 yards and a score, the 65-yarder from Dixon. Courtnee Garcia also made two grabs for 46 yards, and WR Keric Davis also made three grabs for 33 yards. TE Lance Hays added a spectacular catch late in the scrimmage for 35-yards. RB Thomas Williams added two catches for 21 yards out of the backfield.
The defensive unit forced five fumbles, recovering four and also picked off a pair of passes. LB Aubrey Brisendine picked off a Michael Williams pass and DT Lee Sanders snared a Matt Williford pass at the line of scrimmage that he almost returned for a touchdown. The defense also chalked up a pair of sacks, one by Nick Trotter and another by Vernon Holman.
Following the scrimmage, coach Mike Santiago said he was pleased with the things he saw on the field, "I was very pleased with the way both sides of the ball worked tonight. The defense came out really fired up and made some plays, but the offense came right back in some tough situations and made some things happen. I thought all three quarterbacks played well at times. We still have to concentrate on not turning the ball over, but those are the things we're working on right now. To the defense's credit, they forced turnovers tonight, but offensively, we must work on not giving the ball up," said Santiago.
The 'Jacks wrap up spring practice next Friday night with the final scrimmage of the spring at 7:00 p.m. in the stadium.
