Fresno State Athletics
Playmaking Ability Comes Out in Second Scrimmage
3/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 16, 2015
By Jason Clay
jaclay@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State held its second scrimmage of spring football on Monday morning and the young Bulldogs were able to dish up a number of big plays.
"You see big plays on both sides of the ball," head coach Tim DeRuyter said after Monday's session. "We got to get some things cleaned up, but I think we are going to be explosive on offense and defensively we got some guys that can make some plays. We got to be more consistent and there are some things we got to get better at, but overall I liked the way our guys competed today."
In the hour and a half scrimmage, Fresno State saw both sides of the ball issue up big plays and put points on the board.
"We saw some more guys making plays," DeRuyter said. "Aaron Peck had a big play on the sideline, Justin Johnson made a big play, Keyan Williams did some things and I thought all three quarterbacks at times showed really well."
Offensively, running back James Noble III broke loose for a 71-yard touchdown to open the scrimmage when the team was focusing on third-down plays. In those third down periods all three quarterbacks made nice throws for big first-down pickups. Zack Greenlee completed a pass up the middle to Jamire Jordan, Kilton Anderson hit Jordan Washington in stride with a deep ball down the sideline and Chason Virgil had a long completion to Justin Johnson.
Johnson later in the scrimmage took a medium gain on a completion from Greenlee and turned it into a 65-yard touchdown when he stiff-armed a defender out of his way and broke loose for a long run into the end zone.
The defense recorded a number of tackles for a loss with highlight stops there from Stephen Van Hook, Kyrian Obidiegwu and Kyrie Wilson. Outside linebacker Tobenna Okeke had the sack of the day which went for a big loss.
The biggest defensive play in the scrimmage was made by safety Dalen Jones. On a completed third-down pass that would have moved the chains for the offense, Jones came in on the ball carrier who was already wrapped up and delivered a blow that knocked the ball loose. Jones was able to pick it up and return it nearly 45 yards for a touchdown.
"I really like how this group works," DeRuyter said when asked about the progress he's seen from the team this spring. "They come out and have fun competing against each other.
"We realize that if you want to compete for a championship you got to do it 12 months a year and March is critical. This is where you really develop who is in your two-deep so it great to see our guys, they've been out here for the nine practices and every one of them we've had guys competing."
"Be Bold" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes 1600 AM. Renew or purchase your Bulldog football season tickets by calling 559-278-DOGS.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateFB
Instagram: Fresno_State_Football
Facebook: FresnoStateAthletics
