Offense Still Seeking Consistency; Defense Grinding
8/21/2010 11:26:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - Where there was some inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball in Georgia Southern's scrimmage today (August 21), the defense continued to make its presence known. The Eagles scrimmaged in Paulson Stadium with the defense disrupting the offense's attempts to put together sustained drives.
"We'll get better and we're not where we want to be, but we're not where we used to be and we're better than we were," said Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken. "That's good news, and we'll hopefully get better each day."
Freshman fullback Robert Brown (Macon, Ga.) racked up 129 rushing yards including a 74-yard run for a touchdown early in the scrimmage. Senior Lee Banks (Augusta, Ga.) picked up 61 yards and had two rushes of more than 10 yards while Tobi Akinniranye (Atlanta, Ga.) had a 14-yard run included in his total of 35 yards.
Despite some hiccups, the offense still managed to put points on the board. Freshman quarterback Jerick McKinnon (Marietta, Ga.) snuck in with a touchdown and junior kicker Billy Greer (Crosby, Texas) added the extra point. Greer also added a field goal and another extra point on Nico Hickey's (Columbus, Ga.) six-yard touchdown reception from junior quarterback Jaybo Shaw (Flowery Branch, Ga.) in the last score of the day.
Brown broke loose for his long 74-yard touchdown run and narrowly missed a second on a 40-yard gallop if it hadn't been for senior cornerback Laron Scott's (Warner Robins, Ga.) speed and touchdown-saving tackle at the one-yard line. Senior kicker Chris Rogers (Dublin, Ga.) knocked in the extra point on Brown's touchdown.
Another six points was put on the board by the special teams unit with a blocked punt recovered and returned by J.J. Wilcox (Cairo, Ga.) for a touchdown. Adrian Mora (Dalton, Ga.) added the PAT.
Junior Derek Heyden (Atlanta, Ga.), freshman Omari Jones (Jonesboro, Ga.) and sophomore Kyle Oehlbeck (Gainesville, Fla.) each recorded five total tackles. Linebackers senior E.J. Webb (Roanoke, Va.), freshman Carlos Cave (Macon, Ga.) and sophomore Josh Rowe were awarded sacks. Rowe also posted four solo tackles in the scrimmage.
"I'm still excited about the defense and the job they're doing," Monken said. "Those coaches are doing a great job on that side. They coach them (the players) hard and they are high energy. I'm pleased with the defense. Brent Russell is really hard to block, Tinsley has had a good camp and Josh Rowe is doing a nice job and the guys on secondary are (too). I hope they play good, we're going to need them to until we really get things going."
INJURY UPDATE: Junior linebacker Christian Jordan left practice with athletic training personnel to have X-rays taken of his wrist. Freshman Lavelle Westbrooks was out of practice Saturday nursing an ankle sprain.
NEXT SCRIMMAGE: Georgia Southern will scrimmage next on Friday, August 27th at Paulson Stadium at 4 p.m.
RADIO SHOW BEGINS AUG. 30: A preseason edition of the "Inside Georgia Southern Football" radio show with Coach Jeff Monken will air on Monday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. A full wrap-up of the previous weekend's game and a look ahead to the next opponent with Coach Jeff Monken and "Voice of the Eagles" Chris Blair will keep Eagles fans in the know during the 2010 season. The show is scheduled for every Monday at 7 p.m. through Nov. 22, except for September 27th when the Eagles have a bye week.
Fans can listen to the show live on WPMX 102.9 FM in Statesboro or globally on www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com/Eaglevision, or join the live audience at Locos Grill and Pub just off Highway 67 and Veterans Memorial Bypass in Statesboro.
Coach Monken will answer questions from the live audience as well as from fans listening at home. Fans can e-mail a question to askthecoach@gsuradionetwork.com or call into the show at 1-800-909-9623.
