ASU Up-Tempo Scrimmage Results in Big Plays on Both Sides of Ball

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Junior LENORRIS FOOTMAN threw for two touchdowns and ran for one to highlight the Alcorn State University football Purple vs. Gold preseason scrimmage Saturday in front of a strong turnout at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.

The new scoreboard was officially turned on for the first time and operated for the entire scrimmage. Fans got their first look at instant replays in addition to enhanced video and score content.

The scrimmage featured the entire offense wearing gold, playing against the entire defense wearing purple. A total of six touchdowns and two field goals were registered by the gold after two 15-minute halves.

The fast-tempo game also saw the defense record eight sacks, six pass break-ups and three quarterback-hurries.

Footman ended with 158 yards passing. He split time at quarterback with redshirt-freshman NOAH JOHNSON who also threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The scoring began with a 40-yard field goal by freshman COREY MCCULLOUGH. The first touchdown came on a 15-yard pass from Footman to junior NORLANDO VEALS.

Also catching touchdowns on the day were junior JALEN WALKER and sophomore CORBIN JOHNSON.

The biggest play of the scrimmage came on a 40-yard spurt by junior ARRON BAKER who busted through the middle and could not be caught. Baker finished with 80 yards on seven carries.

Defensively, TERRY WHITTINGTON shined with 6.5 tackles including 3.0 sacks. Junior BRADY SMITH was also all over the field with 7.0 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.

Sophomore LASHAUN EALEY got his hands on the lone interception of the contest in the closing minutes.

On special teams, McCullough and fellow freshman VARRICK DYER JR. split duties between kicking and punting. Dyer drilled a 45-yarder on his lone field goal attempt.

Freshman Tavares Johnson broke-off a pair of big kick returns including a 53-yarder and a 47-yarder. Junior CHARLES HUGHES returned punts, with his longest of the day resulting in a 32-yarder.

Alcorn has two more weeks to prepare for its 2016 season opener as it takes on Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 4 at noon (CT) as part of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on ESPN.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS