Fresno State Athletics
Second Scrimmage Reveals Progress for the `Dogs
8/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2015
By Jason Clay
jaclay@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team gained some clarity with a productive second scrimmage of fall camp held Thursday morning in Bulldog Stadium.
Plays were made by both sides of the ball, and by players that are expected to make big contributions this season for the `Dogs. Head coach Tim DeRuyter said after the 103-play scrimmage that he wanted to review the film first, but thinks it is pretty clear the team is progressing in the right direction.
"We saw some guys offensively make some explosive plays, defensively make some plays," DeRuyter said. "Our guys are getting closer to getting game-ready, which is what we need to do."
The Bulldog defense, after having a drop off in sacks in 2014 compared to their numbers from the two previous seasons, registered nine sacks Thursday. Two of those were by senior outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine. The defense also got two interceptions, first from junior safety Stratton Brown and later from junior cornerback Tyquwan Glass.
Offensively, quarterback Zack Greenlee put a good step forward in the quarterback competition. He had an impressive scrimmage completing 9-of-11 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
"We came out early and were able to move the ball and be successful," Greenlee said. "I think we just got to watch the film and learn from that and keep going. We've been getting the ball to some guys who are making a lot of plays and that was good to see."
Both of Greenlee's touchdown passes were thrown in the face of pressure. His first came when he scrambled out of the pocket away from the rush, directed wide receiver Da'Mari Scott to go up field and then hit him in the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown pass. On the second TD toss, a 45-yarder to KeeSean Johnson, Greenlee stepped up in the pocket with pressure coming from the outside and hit Johnson in stride for the score.
True freshman quarterback Chason Virgil also had his ‘wow' moments in the scrimmage. After taking a sack from junior Gabe Newman on first down and a fumbled exchange that put the second offense in a third-and-21 from the 42-yard line going in, Virgil threw deep down the sideline to Johnson who was blanked by coverage. The ball was placed perfectly on the outside and Johnson came down with it on the three-yard line for a huge third-down pick-up.
On the next play, Virgil got some help from wide receiver Darrell Fuery, who made a one-handed catch while drawing a flag as the defender tackled him before the ball had arrived.
Virgil finished the scrimmage completing 6-of-8 passes for 89 yards and the one TD to Fuery.
Before the start of the scrimmage, the Bulldogs went live in punt and kickoff situations to get a true look at the return and coverage teams. The `Dogs have been looking at receivers Keyan Williams, Jamire Jordan and Johnson as punt returners, while Jordan along with Dustin Garrison and Anthoula "Tank" Kelly have seen looks on kickoff return.
Just like on offense and defense, competition for spots on the special teams units are still heated.
"I think we got really good competition depth-wise," DeRuyter said of the team overall. "You want guys to separate and some guys did that today."
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