Defense Holds Their Own in First Scrimmage
8/11/2012 6:44:00 PM | Football
VIDEO: QB/A-Back Jerick McKinnon Post-Scrimmage Interview
VIDEO: QB Ezayi Youyoute Post-Scrimmage Interview
VIDEO: Jack Curtis, 8-11-2012">DC Jack Curtis Post-Scrimmage Interview
VIDEOJack Curtis, 8-11-2012">: OC Brent Davis Post-Scrimmage Interview
VIDEO: Eagle Head Football Coach Jeff Monken Post-Scrimmage Interview
GALLERY: First Scrimmage at Paulson Stadium
STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern defense kept the offense out of the endzone and allowed just six points in the first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday morning.
Freshman kickers Cole Allison and Alex Hanks connected on a field goal apiece to provide the scrimmage's only points. Hanks provided the first points of the day with a 34-yarder, and Allison, who had a 52-yard attempt blocked by Valdon Cooper, added a 31-yard field goal late.
"It is good to see them get out there and kick live. It gives them a sense of urgency to get the thing off on time," said Head Coach Jeff Monken about his new crop of kickers after their first scrimmage.
The defense pitched a three-and-out on the first drive of the scrimmage as Zach York and Connell Reddick intercepted a pair of passes.
"I thought the defense really did a nice job of playing blocks today. I was glad to see that," said Monken after the 11th practice of the preseason. "I thought those guys had some good plays."
Jerick McKinnon took the first snap under center but shared time on the first team with Ezayi Youyoute. McKinnon, who also took snaps at A-Back, led the team with 63 yards rushing, including a 20-yarder that ended 11 yards short of the endzone.
In the passing game five quarterbacks combined to go 6-for-16 for 135 yards. Youyoute connected on two of his four passes for a team-best 40 yards, while DeVonte Lewis caught two passes from two different passers for 65 yards.
"What you hope for in a scrimmage like this is some balance and that both sides make some plays," stated Monken.
The offense, which amassed 369 yards of total offense, had a bad snap on the one-yard line that erased a scoring chance early in the scrimmage.
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