Positive Signs from First Scrimmage
8/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 13, 2011
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A new era has begun in Lumberjack football, as the 2011 season will mark the first time since 2007 where Jeremy Moses is not the starter. The Lumberjacks used six different quarterbacks in Saturday evening's scrimmage with both sophomore Brady Attaway and junior Dalton Williams taking snaps with the first-team offense.
"I'm very pleased with tonight's scrimmage," said head coach J.C. Harper. "I thought our coaching staff has done a great job preparing our kids this week. Our offense executed, and the defense was disruptive."
Attaway completed 23-of-34 (.675) passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns, while Williams was 16-of-22 (.727) for 159 yards and an interception. The rest of the 'Jacks' quarterbacks completed 18-of-29 (.621) for 241 yards and a score.
The offense struggled to move the ball early managing only three field goals and a touchdown prior to focusing on red zone offense. SFA added two touchdowns and a field goal in the red zone.
"The quarterbacks did a good job I thought," said Harper. "Obviously, they are not where (Jeremy) Moses was after three seasons, but it is unfair to make that comparison. I felt they all came out and did a good running the offense and executing."
The special teams added a spark for SFA Saturday night. Sophomore Thomas Henshaw and freshman Jordan Wiggs combined to go 5-of-6 (.833) on field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder by Henshaw. Junior Gralyn Crawford picked up where he left off last season recording three returns of more than 40 yards, while freshman Calib Hadnot added a return of more than 50 yards.
SFA did struggle to hold on to the ball at times during the scrimmage turning it over four times. The quarterbacks threw two interceptions, and the SFA fumbled the ball five times losing two.
"To put it simply, you can't win with turnovers if you're the offense, and turnovers help you win games if you're the defense," said Harper. "The unfortunate thing is two of the fumbles were unforced. We recognize it, and now we are going to take the steps to get it corrected."
The Lumberjack defense has apparently picked up where it left off last season as well. The defense finished the night with 11 sacks, led by sophomore Darren Robinson's five tackles including three sacks. Defensive back David Cato led all Lumberjacks with seven tackles, including five solo stops, while junior Ryan Epperson added five tackles and an interception.
The running backs carried the ball 17 times for 67 yards, led by four carries for 22 yards from junior Jeremy Barnes. The San Augustine native also caught a 10-yard pass for a touchdown. Freshman Garrett Smith hauled in fives passes for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Ryan Gambel added five catches for 72 yards. Sophomore Kris Lott recorded four catches for 62 yards.
The Lumberjacks will return to the practice field Monday with a 7 a.m. workout. SFA is scheduled to hold its second scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 20th.
-SFA-
