Spring Scrimmage Photo Gallery
Feb. 27, 2015
On campus in Nashville – The Commodores reached the midpoint of Spring Practice Friday by staging a lengthy full-contact scrimmage that featured highlights from both sides of the ball.
The squad pushed through a 12-drive, 63-play scrimmage in the team’s Indoor Practice Facility, with the offense opening the session with a scoring drive, only to see the defense respond with a string of impressive series.
The Commodores, which started Spring Ball earlier than any other Southeastern Conference team, will take next week off for Spring Break, then return for two weeks of preparation toward the Black & Gold Spring Game on Saturday, March 21.
Head Coach Derek Mason liked what he saw from the team’s longest scrimmage this spring. “We started strong offensively, then the defense responded and started to pick it up. We also did a really good job of being consistent and communicating on the field,” he said.
Mason also praised the improving football acumen of his young squad.
“I know we’re a more physical team. We’re flying around because I see that every practice. But I’m also looking to see if we play smart,” Mason said. “I saw a lot of that today. We gave ourselves several chances in scoring position. We have some things to clean up, but overall I thought both sides played really well.”
A series-by-series summary of the scrimmage follows:
1st Series
Patton Robinette (R-Jr., QB) leads a quick scoring drive, guiding the offense on a four-play, 80-yard possession. On third play, Robinette and Trent Sherfield (So., WR) hook up for deep pass going for 63 yards. Ralph Webb (R-So., RB) capped the drive on the next play, going 15 yards off right guard on a touchdown.
2nd Series
Robinette guides a second positive possession that ends in field goal territory on the offense. After scrambling for 10 yards, Robinette finds Latevius Rayford (Jr., WR) for 14 yards and Ronald Monroe (R-Fr., WR) for 25 yards. The drive stalls inside the 30-yard line.
3rd Series
After allowing two impressive drives, the defense rises up after a quick 11-yard rush by Darrius Sims (Jr., RB). Caleb Azubike (Sr., DE) and Adam Butler (R-Jr., DT/DE) combine to sack Johnny McCrary (R-So., QB). After Sims goes for eight yards on a second carry, the defense forcing a fourth down with a sack by Stephen Weatherly (R-Jr., OLB).
4th Series
The defense forces a quick 3-and-out possession. The defensive highlight was an acrobatic deflection by Andrew Williamson (R-Sr., safety) on a McCrary pass intended for Trey Ellis (So., WR).
5th Series
The defense again forces a quick possession. On first down, Zach Cunningham (R-So., ILB), Jay Woods (R-So., DT/DE) and Jonathan Wynn (R-Sr., OLB) stand up Dallas Rivers (So., RB) for no gain. On third down, Robinette is sacked by Butler and Weatherly.
6th Series
Wade Freebeck (So., QB) connects with Chandler Dorrell (R-So., WR) for a first down and hands off to Webb for eight yards, but an illegal motion flag forces a 3rd & long. Freebeck’s third-down pass attempt to Steven Scheu (R-Sr., TE) is broken up by Tre Tarpley (So., safety).
7th Series
Rushes by Rivers and Webb, including a 6-yard gain by Webb on 4th & 1, earn a first down, but the possession quickly stalls. The drive includes hard hits from Jakarri Thomas (R-Jr., ILB) and Ladarius Wiley (So., DB).
8th Series
A promising drive what features two first downs and a pair of Shawn Stankavage (R-Fr., QB) to Sherfield pass completions ends abruptly when Darreon Herring (Sr., ILB) picks up a fumbled snap and races 65 yards for a touchdown, the only defensive score registered during the scrimmage. The drive also starts with Azubike contributing an impressive tackle for loss.
9th Series
Rushes by Stankavage and Rivers result in a first down, but the drive stalls when Stankavage is hurried on a 3rd down pass play. Cunningham and Herring contribute tackles during the possession.
10th Series
Several offensive and defensive highlights come during this 10-play possession, which ends with the offense in field goal range. Tarpley registers two tackles for loss, including a punishing stop of Rayford on a pass in the flat. Landon Stokes (R-So., OLB) and Torey Agee (R-Jr., DT) also made impressive defensive stops. On offense, Webb has two carries for 15 yards, McCrary twice finds Rayford on completions resulting in first downs. McCrary notched another key first down, finding Monroe for nine gain on a 4th & 6 play.
11th Series
The defense registers a second turnover, with Cunningham recovering a poor snap. Earlier in the drive, Freeback and Kris Kentera (Sr., WR) connected on a 16-yard completion and Sims rushes for 14 yards on three carries.
12th Series
The final possession starts with a impressive tackle 3-yard for loss by Butler. After a pass interference and three straight rushes result in two first downs, the drive stalls inside field goal territory. Williamson provides another highlight on the final play, breaking up a Freebeck pass intended for Kentera on fourth down.