Offense Hits the Mark In First Scrimmage

Photo by: Zane Mackey, Georgia Southern Athletics

4/10/2021 11:44:00 AM | Football

2021 Football Season Presented by Morris Bank

Eagles roll up 407 yards of offense, defense forces two turnovers

STATESBORO - Sparked by 405 yards of total offense and four touchdowns, the Georgia Southern football squad went through a 75-play full scrimmage Saturday at Allen E. Paulson, the first scrimmage of the 15-play spring session.

The action started with three drives starting at the +17-yard line with all three drives ending in field goals, two from Alex Raynor (20, 22) and one from Bryce Christensen (30).

The first long scoring play came a few series later as Justin Tomlin pumped a short pass and got the defense to bite, allowing Jjay Mcafee to break free for a wide-open 52-yard touchdown pass. On the next drive, Tomlin again found Mcafee wide open in the end zone, this time for a 20-yard score.

Logan Wright rumbled 26 yards for a score and Darius Lewis capped off the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown catch from Connor Cigelske.

The offense rushed for 192 yards, led by 93 and a score from Wright. Tomlin went 6 for 10 passing for 110 yards and two touchdowns while Mcafee led the way with two catches for 72 yards and two scores. Lewis had four catches for 52 yards.

Defensively, Myzel Williams, Jordan Mitchell and Justin Ellis had sacks. Ellis forced a fumble that was recovered by Dillon Springer and Isaac Walker had an interception on the final play of the day.

"We had a lot of good things today and a lot of bad things," said head coach Chad Lunsford. "It's probably all typical of the first scrimmage. I told the team, the little things that we didn't take care of can really grow into big things and hurt us as a football team. But there were a lot of positives on both sides of the ball, and kicking. We had a lot of teachable moments and a lot of good competition. I thought the guys came with good frame of mind today."

Of Note:
The 22 starters on Saturday were as follows:

OL: Brian Miller, Aaron Dowdell, Logan Langemeier, Khalil Crowder, Caleb Kelly
QB: Justin Tomlin
RB: Logan Wright
TE: D.J. Butler
WR: Jjay Mcafee, NaJee Thompson
SLOT: Khaleb Hood

DE: Justin Ellis, Dillon Springer
NT: Gavin Adcock
ILB: Todd Bradley-Glenn, Tre Allen
OLB: Randy Wade Jr., Benz Josue
CB: Derrick Canteen, Darrell Baker Jr.
S: Anthony Wilson, Sam Randolph

Free safety Justin Birdsong (wrist) was held out for precautionary reasons, but has practiced most of the spring.

All of the quarterbacks were live except Tomlin.

James Graham was not at the scrimmage as he is dealing with personal matters.

Marques Watson-Trent was helped off the field late with a left leg injury.

The Eagles are over halfway through spring ball and will have five more practices before wrapping up the session with the Blue-White Spring Game, presented by Southern Exchange, on Saturday, April 24 at 1 p.m. at Paulson Stadium.