Offense Finding Groove Heading Into Spring Game
4/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Through the first three weeks of Stephen F. Austin spring practice, it has been no secret the defense has had the upper hand. That one-sided tilt reached a breaking point at the Lumberjacks' second scrimmage which saw the offense struggle to find any rhythm against their purple counterparts.
"We took a butt-whooping last week, and it seemed to wake them up a little bit," said offensive coordinator Matt Kubik. "When you take a butt-whooping like that, it's okay sometimes as along as your guys respond to it. And I think our guys have definitely responded."
Wednesday night, SFA took to the field for the final night practice of the 2015 spring practice schedule as the offense began to flex its muscles a little more. Veterans and newcomers alike stepped up to make key plays, reinforcing what the offensive mantra has become during this practice season.
"We've just been preaching consistency all spring because at times, we've looked really really good, but then we'll turn around and look really really bad," Kubik said. "It can't be a touchdown or a sack, and that is what has bit us a little bit this spring is trying too hard to make those huge plays every time. We've got to be able to make the hard catches and the three-yard runs to put us in third and short and keep our offense on the field. We're not going to win dropping back and throwing the ball 70 times, so we need to make sure that consistency is there."
One of the keys of the SFA offensive unit is the veteran leadership and experience that returns at a number of positions. Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year Zach Conque is back to run the offense, as well as returning backup Hunter Taylor, and have both shown significant progress as the offensive schemes continue to get more and more complex.
But the Lumberjack offense will live or die depending on the play of the offensive line, a core group that returns all five starters from the 2014 season. With the amount of experience at both positions, Kubik is both optimistic as well as eager to take that next step.
"It's going to be crucial for us. We've got an offensive line with a lot of experience. I think we can put a lot on those guys and really challenge them. The nice thing about that group of guys is they have proven how good they are, but we feel they can be even better. Same thing at the quarterback position. Zach has had a great spring, but at the same time the game is still slowing down for him and he's getting better every practice.
The big question mark heading into the spring schedule was in the SFA backfield as the Lumberjacks are facing the daunting task of replacing the program's all-time leading rusher in Gus Johnson. But across the board, the running back corps of Cameron Washington, Joshawa West and Fred Ford have each stepped up and shown their capabilities. And while Kubik admits you can never really replace a player like Gus, it isn't something he's losing sleep over either.
"It's been an adjustment," Kubik admits. "You look around for Gus, and then you realize he's not there and it's kind of like your safety net has been taken away. But I think we've got a couple of guys at the running back position that possibly are a little more dynamic than Gus was and might have a little more quickness than he did. You're going to see us change some things and change up our run game a little bit as well as get them more involved in the passing game."
Both the offense and defense will be ready to show Lumberjack fans the progress that has been made this Saturday when SFA holds the 2015 installment of the Purple vs. White spring game at Homer Bryce Stadium. The game will get underway at 6 p.m. with free admission as Lumberjack fans can come get a sneak peek at their 2015 Lumberjack football team. The game will also be streamed live through SFA All-Access.
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