Defense Dominates in Scrimmage
8/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 18, 2007
NACOGDOCHES - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack defense dominated in Saturday's scrimmage that pitted the No. 1 offense against the first-team defense, and the second-team offense against the second-team defense. The offense recorded 402 yards of total offense, and only two touchdowns in the humid conditions at Homer Bryce Stadium.
Although the offense has received a majority of the attention during the early part of fall camp, it was the defense that stole the headlines Saturday. Junior linebacker Damian Perkins led an inspired defensive effort that surrendered only 144 yards on the ground, and forced eight fumbles. Perkins finished with a game-high eight tackles, including one sack. Senior Stephon Rhea and sophomore Cory Barlow each added six tackles. Barlow also picked off a pass, which he returned 12 yards.
The offensive highlights came from freshmen quarterbacks Jeremy Moses, Jeremy Claybon and Garrett Milton. Moses, who was seeing action with the first-team offense because Southall was held out of the scrimmage, finished the game completing 20-of-36 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Moses' TD pass was hauled in by sophomore Vincent Pervis, who used his speed to scamper 23 yards down the left sideline untouched for the score. Pervis finished the afternoon with four catches for 50 yards. He also carried the ball four times for 15 yards.
The offense's other touchdown came on a nice pass from Milton to classmate Marcus Taylor. Taylor went up in the air to haul in Milton's pass and take it 36 yards for the score. Milton completed two of his three attempts for 46 yards and the score.
Claybon completed eight passes on the day for 56 yards, but he showed his athletic ability running the football. Claybon finished the game with 10 carries for 67 yards, including a 33-yard jaunt that saw him break some tackles, and elude a few other would-be tacklers. Claybon led all SFA ball carriers, while senior Robert Castillo added seven carries for 25 yards.
The SFA signal callers finished the day 30-of-56 (.536) for 258 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor was their favorite receiver hauling in seven passes for 84 yards.
Other 'Jacks that had solid performances on the defensive side of the ball included senior Bug Aymond, junior Jonathan Patke and freshmen Terrance Nurse and Chad Haynes. Each finished the game with four tackles. The defense also recovered three fumbles, picked off two passes and broke up five passes.
SFA was 7-of-23 (.304) on third down conversions. The Lumberjacks were also penalized 11 times for 82 yards during the contest.
-SFA-
