Photo: Running back Kareem Jones takes a handoff during Delaware State's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night at Alumni Stadium. Jones rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries in the scrimmage. Photo by Gary Emeigh
By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal
DOVER -- If you name anything after NASCAR, it's got to be fast and furious.
Delaware State's football coaches thought so, too. That's why the Hornets have a series of plays that begin with "NASCAR," plays that could become the program's first choice to produce touchdowns when the season begins Sept. 1 against nonconference opponent Coastal Carolina.
Kareem Jones, a junior transfer from Syracuse University and a virtual lock to be chosen as the starting running back, was handed the ball on consecutive carries during the Hornets' intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night at Alumni Stadium.
With the stadium sitting directly across from Dover International Speedway on U.S. 13, it's fitting that the Hornets' newest plays and Jones, a new addition, are joined together in honor of the stock car racing circuit that made Dover famous.
On the second series of the scrimmage, the Hornets looked their best in running six straight times. Jones got the ball on four of those plays, gaining 7, 9, 2 and 27 yards.
"I don't know where we come up with those crazy names," DSU coach Al Lavan said. "The coaches and players do that. Really, they are spots that myself and [new offensive coordinator] Doug Sams wanted to plug in for him to run."
Jones, looking like a version of Tony Stewart's No. 20, crashed through defensive linemen, probably swapping some helmet paint as he put his head down.
"He's definitely got more power than we've had in some time," Lavan said. "And he's what I like to call a 'slip and slide' runner. He makes you miss. And he's fast."
DSU ran about 50 plays in the scrimmage, all starting from their own 30-yard line. Lavan primarily used his first teams, although a few substitutes played. No score was kept.
Jones rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Vashon Winton was 7-of-12 passing for 59 yards and ran for the offense's lone touchdown.
Jones' nifty 27-yard run put the ball on the 30. From there, senior kicker Peter Gaertner booted a 45-yard field goal.
Despite that productive series, several offensive plays ended in turnovers from careless ballhandling.
Winton scored on an 8-yard run. Backup Calvin Tolliver, a transfer from Northland (Ga.) College, played one series.
"I was pleased overall, but there were some mishaps on offense," Lavan said.
The defensive highlight was Akeem Green's 97-yard interception return for a touchdown. On a third down-and-5, Winton tried to find Derrick McNeil but Green jumped in front.
Receiver Shaheer McBride, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason offensive player of the year, did not participate on offense for the second scrimmage in a row. He did take part on punt returns.
Hornets buzz
Several injured players did not dress. Wide receiver Eddie Brown (ankle) and defensive lineman Ronn Spinner (ankle) were on crutches and are out indefinitely. Sitting out due to minor injuries were running back Chris Strother, receiver Octavius Everett, linebacker Tolbert Matthews and defensive lineman Tyron Hurst. Safety Reggie McCoy returned to action after a mild finger injury. ... Gaertner appeared to injure his kicking foot on his field goal.
By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal
DOVER -- If you name anything after NASCAR, it's got to be fast and furious.
Delaware State's football coaches thought so, too. That's why the Hornets have a series of plays that begin with "NASCAR," plays that could become the program's first choice to produce touchdowns when the season begins Sept. 1 against nonconference opponent Coastal Carolina.
Kareem Jones, a junior transfer from Syracuse University and a virtual lock to be chosen as the starting running back, was handed the ball on consecutive carries during the Hornets' intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night at Alumni Stadium.
With the stadium sitting directly across from Dover International Speedway on U.S. 13, it's fitting that the Hornets' newest plays and Jones, a new addition, are joined together in honor of the stock car racing circuit that made Dover famous.
On the second series of the scrimmage, the Hornets looked their best in running six straight times. Jones got the ball on four of those plays, gaining 7, 9, 2 and 27 yards.
"I don't know where we come up with those crazy names," DSU coach Al Lavan said. "The coaches and players do that. Really, they are spots that myself and [new offensive coordinator] Doug Sams wanted to plug in for him to run."
Jones, looking like a version of Tony Stewart's No. 20, crashed through defensive linemen, probably swapping some helmet paint as he put his head down.
"He's definitely got more power than we've had in some time," Lavan said. "And he's what I like to call a 'slip and slide' runner. He makes you miss. And he's fast."
DSU ran about 50 plays in the scrimmage, all starting from their own 30-yard line. Lavan primarily used his first teams, although a few substitutes played. No score was kept.
Jones rushed for 51 yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Vashon Winton was 7-of-12 passing for 59 yards and ran for the offense's lone touchdown.
Jones' nifty 27-yard run put the ball on the 30. From there, senior kicker Peter Gaertner booted a 45-yard field goal.
Despite that productive series, several offensive plays ended in turnovers from careless ballhandling.
Winton scored on an 8-yard run. Backup Calvin Tolliver, a transfer from Northland (Ga.) College, played one series.
"I was pleased overall, but there were some mishaps on offense," Lavan said.
The defensive highlight was Akeem Green's 97-yard interception return for a touchdown. On a third down-and-5, Winton tried to find Derrick McNeil but Green jumped in front.
Receiver Shaheer McBride, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason offensive player of the year, did not participate on offense for the second scrimmage in a row. He did take part on punt returns.
Hornets buzz
Several injured players did not dress. Wide receiver Eddie Brown (ankle) and defensive lineman Ronn Spinner (ankle) were on crutches and are out indefinitely. Sitting out due to minor injuries were running back Chris Strother, receiver Octavius Everett, linebacker Tolbert Matthews and defensive lineman Tyron Hurst. Safety Reggie McCoy returned to action after a mild finger injury. ... Gaertner appeared to injure his kicking foot on his field goal.
No comments:
Post a Comment