Eagles turn in second scrimmage of camp
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - When the Southern Miss Golden Eagles last took to the field for an organized scrimmage, the defense got the better of the offense. In Saturday's rendition inside the confines of M.M. Roberts Stadium, the story was slightly different.
"I thought it was pretty even. I thought the defense made a lot of good plays and I thought the offense made a lot of good plays," said coach Larry Fedora. "I thought the tempo, early on, was good for the offense. As the scrimmage went on, I thought we might have slowed down a bit."
Advertisement
As he has preached throughout the preseason camp, Fedora was looking for the team to finish just as they had started, and when the Golden Eagles came off the field after a nearly three hour scrimmage, he wasn't disappointed.
"I told the guys, at the end of the scrimmage, in the last 30 minutes, they had as much life in them as at the beginning so I thought that was a positive," Fedora noted.
The fourth-year head man was also pleased with the variety of work the Eagles were able to get to fit into such a short period of time.
"We got a bunch of good reps and just about every situation covered today," said Fedora. "We got two different types of a two minute situation, a four minute situation, overtime, goal line. We did it all today. I thought it was really good."
Quarterback Austin Davis connected on eight of his first nine passes to begin the scrimmage, including the first seven, for 66 yards, culminating in a touchdown grab in the corner of the endzone for Dominique Sullivan.
Sullivan finished the day with seven catches for 78 yards and the touchdown to lead all receivers. Ryan Balentine pulled down four passes for 69 yards while Ryan Hanks snagged two for 31 yards.
Defensively, Jamie Collins and Khalid Wilson tallied two sacks each, but both men were second to Cordarro Law, who finished with three.
Special teams play was highlighted by a punt return from speedster Francisco Llanos, who took it up the right side 80-yard for the touchdown.
The Golden Eagles will return to the practice field on Sunday morning at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
Season Tickets, as well as single-game seats, are available for the 2011 home season by going online at SouthernMiss.com, or by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visiting the Pat Ferlise Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m., until 5 p.m.
Southern Miss Football Scrimmage Stats:
Rushing
Kendrick Hardy 10-28; Arsenio Favor 13-17, 1 TD; Jamal Woodyard 13-42; Kelvin Bolden 1-9; Austin Davis 6 - (-18); Jeremy Hester 5-20; Chris Campbell 8-(-19); Desmond Johnson 4-19; Darrell Sanders 4-15; Tracy Lampley 2-21, 1 TD.
Passing
Austin Davis 20-24-0, 1 TD, 209 yards; Arsenio Favor 8-12-0, 62 yards; Chris Campbell 3-9-0, 11 yards; Darrin Farris 4-7-0, 20 yards.
Receiving
Kelvin Bolden 4-29; Dominique Sullivan 7-78, 1 TD; Ryan Balentine 4-69; Kendrick Hardy 1-6; Ryan Hanks 2-31; Tracy Lampley 3-23; Chris Briggs 2-8; Justin Sims 2-7; Rashon Prince 2-7; Jeremy Hester 1-0; Bruce Johnson 1-5; Francisco Llanos 1-21; Jamal Woodyard 1-0; Zack Gregory 2-16; Cooper Harrington 2-4.
Sacks
Jamie Collins 2, Khyri Thornton, Khalid Wilson 2, Alan Howze, Cordarro Law 3, Team.