Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Complete Final Scrimmage of Fall Camp
8/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Josh Mitchell
jomitchell@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Head Coach Tim DeRuyter post-scrimmage interview
Sophomore Quarterback Zack Greenlee post-scrimmage interview
FRESNO, Calif. - In its last of three scrimmages of fall camp, the Fresno State football team continues to make progress ahead of its season opener against Abilene Christian that is just over a week away. Monday morning's scrimmage went for 84-plays.
"It was a real competitive scrimmage," head coach Tim DeRuyter said. "I felt that the defense came out initially and did a great job, three or four three-and-outs to start with. Offensively, we hurt ourselves with some penalties and some dropped passes. We started making some plays as the scrimmage went along. I thought the offense did a great job in the end-of-half situation, getting a couple scores. Both sides I thought took care of the ball, the third group didn't. The threes and fours didn't do such a good job. It was good for the defense to get takeaways in those situations."
The defense came out clicking, allowing just 11 offensive plays during the first three drives. On the fourth drive, the offense got going with Zack Greenlee under center. The sophomore quarterback hit Jamire Jordan on a screen pass which the redshirt freshman receiver was able to slip away from a couple defenders to turn a loss into an 11-yard gain. Dejonte O'Neal followed that up with a 19-yard run up the middle just before Greenlee lobbed a 34-yard pass that KeeSean Johnson hauled down to the one-yard line. The defense tightened up though ending the drive with consecutive pass breakups from Malcolm Washington and Charles Washington.
On a QB read with the next possession, Chason Virgil showed off a burst a speed through the defense on a as he ran for a 52-yard touchdown.
When the threes and fours came out, Kilton Anderson went four-of-four, twice linking up with freshman tight end Jared Rice for a total of 52 yards. Rice's second catch came on a crossing route over the middle which he took for a 30-yard score.
Three drives later, Anderson went 5-of-7, guiding the offense to its third touchdown of the day. The freshman ended the drive with a 2-yard pass to Jordan Washington after the receiver was able to haul in the catch before stepping out.
Greenlee then led the offense on a scoring drive that resulted in a 24-yard field goal. On a second-and-two from the 40-yard line, he connected with Josiah Blandin along the right sideline. The junior transfer was able to high-point the ball with a defender on him for a 33-yard catch to get the ball down to the seven.
Kody Kroening and Jimmy Camacho ended the half, each converting on 45-yard field goals.
"All in all, offensively and defensively we saw some good things, we'll check the tape," DeRuyter said. "I thought our kickers kicked the ball pretty well today. Both of those guys hit 45-yard field goals during the scrimmage and I think we've got a real good competition there."
During the second half, in a red zone situation, Virgil converted on a third-and-nine, completing a 14-yard pass to Justin Johnson. On the next play, Dustin Garrison slipped out to right side and found a hole for a 5-yard touchdown run.
With the fours playing at the end of the scrimmage, the defense got the better of the offense as Daquawn Brown came away with an interception that he returned 35 yards for a touchdown. Three plays later, Eric Wilson intercepted the second pass of the day.
Anderson, who took the majority of the snaps in the threes and fours, completed 14-of-21 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. His leading receiver was Rice who had five receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. The defense came away with two interceptions and five sacks. Nick Aibuedefe registered two of the sacks, picking up both late in the scrimmage.
"I was concerned because we had a few penalties early on," DeRuyter said. "We had a first-and-goal going in, and we had our twos out there, and we had a false start. Now you're first and goal from the six and we have to kick a field goal. Those things concern you and we have to get them cleaned up. But for the most part, I felt both sides of the ball executed our schemes very well."
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