MONTGOMERY, Alabama — The Alabama State football team has practiced for eight days and will hold their first controlled scrimmage at New Hornet Stadium Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. The scrimmage will be closed to the public.The scrimmage may be trimmed down some, because the Hornets have several players who will not be able to participate due to injuries.
"We want to try and get about 80 to 90 plays in," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Unfortunately, we have a lot of guys either banged up, injured or hurt, so the scrimmage will be predicated on the guys we have out there, but we are looking forward to those 80 or 90 plays."
Like all teams, ASU films all of their practices and goes back to evaluate those films to look for standout plays and players and also teach from the mistakes. Tomorrow's live scrimmage will give an even deeper look at film study and evaluation.
"I am looking forward to us having an opportunity to have the officials out there to help us to tighten up our play and play without making penalties," Barlow said. "It also gives us a chance to play on the field without the coaches being out there. We will be able to stay on the sidelines which give us an opportunity to observe and grade these guys. Sometimes it becomes a bit cluttered when we are out here on the field. So I am looking forward to in the morning."
ASU will hold two more scrimmages after tomorrow. One on Aug. 17 and the final scrimmage will be set for Aug. 24.
Hornets Have Options at Quarterback; Saturday's Scrimmaged Closed to the Public
MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Alabama State University hit the field Thursday with the first of six scheduled two-a-day practice sessions. The ASU coaching staff will have an extra period of practice during those six days to look at one of the top positions that needs to be filled, and that is quarterback.
ASU enters the 2013 football season with three experienced running backs, an experienced offensive line, and several young, but talented receivers, but replacing two-year starter Greg Jenkins at quarterback has become one of the top decisions during preseason camp. Jenkins amassed over 4,000 career yards (rushing and passing) and a total of 35 touchdowns (rushing and passing) over his two years under center.
Daniel Duhart served as the Hornets' backup last season and proved himself by completing 69 percent of his passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions.
One would think Duhart would be the starting quarterback heading into the 2013 season, and he has done nothing to hurt his chances during the spring and in preseason camp, but the arrival of Arsenio Favor, who transferred to ASU from Southern Mississippi, has given the Hornets' coaching staff plenty of options under center.
"We do have two guys (Duhart and Favor) we believe in," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "We just need for them to take ownership of it. I have been preaching throughout this camp the quarterback position is more than just calling the plays and getting the guys lined up. It's about how you carry yourself; it's how you walk, its how you communicate. So we are expecting one of those guys to step into it. We believe both of those guys can get the job done we just need one of them to step up and take ownership of it and to be the guy."
ASU did sign two freshmen in Quinteris Toppings (Eight Mile, Ala.) and Sir Jackson (Gainesville, Fla.). Those players are talented, but are a little behind the other two.
"I think those guys are picking up things pretty good," Barlow said. "Quinteris is a little ahead of Jackson. He knows the system and being here this summer helped him out. Sir is a guy that has some ability, but he is a bit too casual right now and has to pick it up and understand the college game, but those are two good gets for us."
All of the quarterbacks will get plenty of reps Saturday, when ASU holds their first scrimmage of preseason camp. The scrimmage is set to begin at 9 a.m., at New Hornet Stadium. The scrimmage will be closed to the public. ASU will only practice once on Friday, at 3:30 p.m.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
No comments:
Post a Comment