Defense dominates in Wofford football scrimmage

Wofford linebacker Qay Bell (10) puts pressure on the quarterback on Saturday during the Terriers' scrimmage.

ALEX C. HICKS JR./alex.hicks@shj.com

Published: Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:17 p.m.

Defense dominated Wofford's scrimmage again Saturday night at Gibbs Stadium just as it did in the first one last week.

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Wofford linebacker Qay Bell (10) puts pressure on the quarterback on Saturday during the Terriers' scrimmage.

ALEX C. HICKS JR./alex.hicks@shj.com

But even with only two weeks before the season opener, there's no concern from within about the offense.

?We're going to be all right,? Wofford head coach Mike Ayers said. ?? I'm not worried.?

The Terriers, ranging from starters to third-teamers, went the first 17 possessions without scoring. During that span, they managed just three first downs, had a long drive of 23 yards and never got the ball inside the 35 even when beginning at midfield.

If quick whistles had not been blown, the Wofford defense would have been leading the offense, 12-0. Stephon Shelton had an interception against Brian Kass and likely would have scored. The Terriers also had a punt block by James Zotto and Tarek Odom scooped it up and headed for the end zone.

?It's definitely tough going against our defense,? Kass said. ?They know what we're running. We need another team to go up against.?

?We played pretty well,? Wofford linebacker Mike Niam said. ?But it helps that we've seen this offense so much. We have some older guys who have been in the system and have a better understanding of what we're getting.?

Southern Conference preseason player of the year Eric Breitenstein was in on only a few snaps. He had two carries, a 1-yarder and an 11-yarder for one of the few plays that moved the sticks early on.

?Part of the deal is that when we run perimeter plays, we don't want to cut block because we don't want problems with injuries,? Ayers said. ?So we're up there banging and clanging and sometimes we get outmuscled. ? I think Brian is a guy who can get it done. If we catch a couple of balls that we should have caught, then it's not as bad as it seems.?

Late in the scrimmage, the offense finally got going. Three of the final six possessions went for touchdowns. Michael Weimer threw a 44-yard TD pass to Will Irwin, who came down with the ball in the end zone. Evan Jacks had a pair of touchdowns, a 10 ?yarder to Rob Greene from Dorman High School and an 18-yarder to tight end Josh Hillard. Jacks might have had a 47-yard scoring run, but the play was whistled to a stop after 12 yards.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: True freshman Raymond Smith (Dorman) had a 28-yard run. He and fellow classmate Will Gay were working some with the first-team offense. ? Linebacker Tyler Gleason made an interception on a tipped halfback pass from Gay. ? Sacks were credited to Odom, Qay Bell, Zach Bobb, Zach Murray and Travis Thomas. ? Punters were under heavy pressure. Shelton also got a partial block. ? Octavius Harden had a 40-yard run that was called back by penalty. ? Thomas Simmons (Greer High) caught a ball that was tipped by defender Allen Smith and also had two grabs for 23 yards on the final touchdown series. ? Place-kicker Christian Reed was 4-for-5 on field goal tries, all from at least 42 yards. He and Kasey Redfern both made their only attempts from 51 yards. ? Players who were held out of contact were linebacker Alvin Scioneaux; running backs Donovan Johnson, Cam Flowers, Cody Burris and Bryan Youman; offensive lineman T.J. White; tight end Zach Muller; defensive lineman Josh Roseborough; and safety Kendall Bratcher. ? The Terriers will take Sunday off and return to practice Monday for two workouts. They will hold another scrimmage on Wednesday, this to help prepare for the Sept. 1 opener at Gardner-Webb.

Source: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20120818/articles/120819625

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