Tennessee State Tiger Camp Update: Second Scrimmage

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Hale Stadium played host to the second and final scrimmage of camp 2015 for Tennessee State football. Approximately 300 spectators enjoyed the eight series, 65 play contest on Saturday evening.

The Tigers tried to set the tone by rushing the ball and finished the night with 139 yards on 24 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Ronald Butler led the way with 68 yards on five runs, including two for over 20 yards. Senior Telvin Hooks added to the success on the ground as he joined Butler with a rush over 20-yards.

Hooks busted loose around the left side on the second play of the contest for 21 yards giving the first unit a first down at their own 41. The first drive would stall as sophomore defensive end Latrelle Lee busted through for a sack and a seven yard loss, forcing the first punt of the night.

After the change of possession, the first unit returned to the field for a second opportunity. The squad picked up back-to-back first downs as O’Shay Ackerman-Carter connected on a 14-yard pass to Mahlon Medley and a six-yarder to Archie Dennard.

The first team defense seemed to come up with its second stop, but a defensive holding allowed the offense to continue its drive. Ackerman-Carter too advantage of the new life as he hit Tom Smith at the 32 on a third and nine. Smith would break free and got help on a blindsided block down the field by Medley. Smith looked to be stopped at the 12, but the senior back continued to drive and carry his would-be tacklers down to the five.

Two plays later, after a false start moved the offense back to the ten, the Tigers found the end zone. Ackerman-Carter received plenty of protection from his lineman giving him time to find Chris Sanders-McCollum for the lone touchdown of the scrimmage.

Ronald Butler brought the second team on the field for their first series and struck immediately. The junior broke around the right end for 35 yards, crossing midfield to the 30. Butler broke loose on the next play for 10 yards, but the play was brought back to a hold behind the play. The setback was short-lived as Butler went over the top of the defense to Quindell Cousin who came down with the ball at the five.

The penalty bug struck for the second squad as back-to-back flags brought them back to the 15 for a first and goal. The defense pinned their ears back and attacked as Kevin DeWalt charged through the offense on consecutive plays for a pair of sacks, each for nine yard losses. The two plays from the defensive end transfer from Kent State created a third and goal from the 33.

The drive ended with no points as Lane Clark missed just to the right on a 50-yard field goal attempt.

The stop inspired the defense as they forced two straight three-and-out possessions against the offense, one led by each quarterback. On the following series, the offense picked up a first down on a seven yard run by Arkeem Granger before the defense once again stuffed their opponents. Defensive back A.J. Flowers would bring the crowd to its feet as he upended Morris who went up for a Butler pass.

The scrimmage ended with each squad having a chance at a two-minute drive. Ackerman-Carter went back to the recipe from the second drive picking up two first downs with the help of Medley and Dennard. The defense would flex its muscle again as freshman defensive back Gabe Scott came down with an Ackerman-Carter pass for his first interception of camp.

Butler started the second units drive as he scrambled and found running room for 22 yards to the 42. Butler would continue to drive his squad down the field hooking up with Isaiah Jeffries-Freeman for a first down, followed by a pass to Dantwaun O’Neal for another new set of downs.

The offense would settle for a 45-yard field goal from freshman Mitchell Boudreaux to make the final 7-3.

The Tigers will be in full force on Sunday as they host Fan Day at the TSU Indoor Facility. The event will last from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and will have inflatables for kids, as well as an opportunity to meet the team and receive the 2015 poster. Players will be on hand to sign autographs.

Rushing
Ronald Butler 5-68
Tom Smith 4-27
Telvin Hooks 2-24
Marcus Deanes 7-22
O’Shay Ackerman-Carter 3-16
Arkeem Granger 3-4

Passing
Ackerman-Carter 6-12 80 1-1
Ronald Butler 4-6 50 0-0

Receiving
Archie Denard 2-23
Mahlon Medley 2-20
Quindell Cousins 1-33
Tom Smith 1-27
Chris Sanders-McCollum 1-10
Isaiah Jeffries-Freeman 1-7
Dantwaun O’Neal 1-7
Rodney Morris 1-3

Schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 23 - 2:00-5:00 p.m. - Fan Day
Monday, Aug. 24 – Off Day
Tuesday, Aug. 25 – 4:00-6:30 p.m. (Full)
Wednesday, Aug. 26 - 4:00-6:30 p.m. (Full)
Thursday, Aug. 27 - 4:00-6:30 p.m. (Full)



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION