OFFENSE AND DEFENSE BOTH MAKE BIG PLAYS IN OPENING SCRIMMAGE OF SPRING
4/7/2012
DeAndre Carter caught a team-high five passes, including a 25-yard touchdown.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento State football team completed its first two weeks of practice with a 60-play scrimmage on Saturday at Hornet Stadium.
The offense received its production with four touchdowns while the defense grabbed three interceptions to spark their cause.
Junior transfer Mason Magleby started the scrimmage at quarterback and immediately hit T.J. Knowles for a 23-yard completion on the first play. After the drive stalled, Magleby remained under center for the second possession and guided the Hornets on a 10-play, 70-yard march which was capped by a 3-yard touchdown rush from Sam McCowan.
Sophomore Garrett Safron kept the offense moving during the third drive, completing all five of his attempts and leading the Hornets to a touchdown. Safron hit McCowan for a 9-yard completion on 3rd-and-7 early in the series. He then picked up a pair of first downs with an 11-yard pass to DeAndre Carter and a 14-yard strike to tight end Jonathan Kirkman. Two plays later, Safron found Carter on a post route for a 25-yard touchdown.
The defense buckled down on the next series, deflection two of Magleby's three pass attempts to force a stop. Magleby came right back to find McCowan for a 15-yard completion and then connected with freshman Nnamdi Agude on a fade route for an 11-yard touchdown.
The defense recorded three-and-outs on the next three drives. Nicholas Payne broke up a third-down pass, Trent Eskew sacked Safron and Ryan McMahon intercepted Magleby to end the three drives.
Transfer running back A.J. Ellis kept the ball moving on the ground, gaining all 25 yards during the next series. Starting at the defense's 25-yard line, Ellis had runs of 5, 4, and 1 yard before breaking a 15-yarder up the middle for a touchdown.
The defense responded with alert plays resulting in a pair of interceptions. Osagie Odiase gathered in a tipped pass from Magleby and returned it 45 yards. Josh Armstrong followed with an interception in the end zone. On that play, Safron's pass was broken up by senior Manasa Kikau. The ball then deflected off the face mask of the intended target (Kirkman) before being corralled by Armstrong.
Overall, Magleby was 9-of-20 for 97 yards and a touchdown plus a pair of interceptions. Safron finished 7-of-9 with a touchdown and a pick. Collin Burnett completed one of his two attempts while Jake Geringer was 3-of-4.
Carter caught five passes for 57 yards to lead the team. Knowles caught three passes for 42 yards and McCowan added three grabs for 32 yards. Blake Robertson also caught three, Ashton Collins added two and five others caught one pass.
Ellis was the team's leading rusher with 42 yards on eight carries. McCowan carried the ball seven times for 32 yards.
The team will hold its next scrimmage on Saturday, April 14, at the practice field. Action is expected to get under way just before 9 a.m.
