Passing Game Excels Early, Defense Slams Door At End
We got better, Croom said. We're making more plays in the passing game, but we're not finishing in protection. Omarr (Conner) is making catches, and Keon (Humphries), Tyler (Threadgill), and Lance (Long) are making many more plays in the passing game. If he has the time, Mike (Henig) is going to make the throws.
As it did one week earlier, the first offense did not find its rhythm until the third series of the scrimmage against the first defense, but unlike last Saturday, the regular offense proceeded to score on its next seven possessions.
After going three-and-out on its first two tries, the first offense moved 65 yards on seven plays for its first tally, a Henig to Threadgill aerial. The highlight of that drive, however, was a 25-yard one-handed reception by Conner.
The next time it was on the field, the regular offense moved 65 yards on 12 snaps, with Conner hauling in the Henig TD throw.
The first unit also scored on its next five possessions, some of which were conducted in short yardage or goal line situations, with two of the drives ending in field goals.
For the day, Henig completed 16-of-33 passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions. Conner caught six of those throws for 110 yards.
The second offense did not have the same level of productivity as the starters, and after that original flurry of scoring, the first defense shut its teammates down. Overall, the first offense ran 81 plays and generated 246 yards. The second team snapped the pigskin 39 times for 44 yards.
SCORING
Threadgill 11 pass from Henig (Carlson PAT)
Ambrose 17 rush (Carlson PAT)
Long 22 pass from Henig (Andrews PAT)
Carlson 47 FG
Conner 17 pass from Henig (Andrews PAT)
Carlson 28 FG
Rogers 17 pass from Henig (Andrews PAT)
Humphries 8 pass from Rutland (McGee PAT)
Carlson 35 FG
Andrews 32 FG
Rutland 11 rush (Carlson PAT)
Andrews 23 FG
Carlson 43 FG
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING ?€“ Ambrose 6-48 1TD, Williams 13-47, Hart 17-4, Rogers 1-1, Rutland 6-(-3) 1TD, Henig 4-(-14).
PASSING ?€“ Henig 16-33-0 173 4TD, Rutland 4-9-0 42.
RECEIVING ?€“ Conner 6-110 TD, Humphries 3-10 TD, Long 4-32 TD, Threadgill 1-11 TD, Rogers 1-17 TD, Ambrose 2-2, Bell 1-11, Williams 1-7, Smith 1-10.
TACKLES ?€“ Chaney 8, Jer. Johnson 6, Pegues 4, Anthony Johnson 4, Robinson 4, Brown 4, Chambers 3, Anthony Johnson 3, Evans 3, M. Heard 3, Wesley 3, Fitzhugh 2, Yarbrough 2, Rice 2, Littlejohn 2, Jones 2, Powell 2.
INTERCEPTIONS ?€“ None.
SACKS ?€“ Hannibal 3-23, Powell 1-8, Robinson 1-6.
TACKLES FOR LOSS ?€“ Robinson 3, Hannibal 3, Chaney 2, Wesley 2, Antonio Johnson 2, Powell 2, Pegues 1, Chambers 1, Littlejohn 1, Brown 1, Heard 1.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES ?€“ Ona 1-0.
PUNT RETURNS ?€“ Conner 1-28, Pegues 1-27, Anthony Johnson 1-10.