BOTH OFFENSE AND DEFENSE HAVE BIG PLAYS IN SECOND FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE

4/24/2010

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Big plays were the story of the second football scrimmage for the Sacramento State Hornets on Saturday at the team's practice field. The offense had five plays of at least 20 yards and the defense responded with a couple of sacks and long interception return for a score.

Senior McLeod Bethel-Thompson took the majority of the snaps at quarterback during the 60-play scrimmage. The senior led the team on an 11-play touchdown drive during the third series. Facing 3rd-and-15, Bethel-Thompson connected with Ron Richardson for a 40-yard reception just inside the hash on the right side of the field. Jake Croxdale capped the drive three plays later with a 3-yard run up the middle.

After sitting out a pair of series, Bethel-Thompson returned for a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jon Hendershott. On the play, Bethel-Thompson pump faked to freeze the defender and then hit Hendershott in stride and he went the remaining 10 yards without being touched.

The defense was next unit to come up big as Zach Schrader intercepted Bethel-Thompson and then snaked his way up the field for a 76-yard touchdown. Schrader caught the ball, which was thrown over the head of the intended receiver, and was aided by wall of blockers up the right side of the field.

The offense scored its final touchdown near the end of the scrimmage on a 6-yard run by Bethel-Thompson around the right end. The drive was keyed by a 59-yard reception from Richardson who finished the day with six catches for 149 yards.

For the second consecutive week, the defense was tough against the run and seemed to have pressure on all three Hornet quarterbacks on nearly every pass attempt. Senior All-American Christian Clark was credited with a pair of sacks and the unit combined for six tackles-for-loss.

The defense also had an interception and long return by Aaron Martinez which was negated by a pre-snap penalty.

The team will close out spring ball with the annual Green-Gold Game on Saturday, May 1, at 10:30 a.m. Due to the FieldTurf construction, the game will be held at the practice facility instead of Hornet Stadium.