NORFOLK, Virginia -- In a two-and-a-half hour scrimmage Saturday afternoon, it was the Spartan defense that came up with several big plays and key stops to highlight the team's second intrasquad scrimmage that capped NSU's preseason training camp.
Aaron Chandler returned a blocked field goal approximately 50 yards for a score and linebacker James Byers returned an interception 60 yards down the field before he was stopped just short of a touchdown as the defense made a strong showing throughout.
"Last week the offense drove right down the field (to start the first scrimmage). Today, the defense bounced back and had several three-and-outs to get things started," Scott said. "I thought we tackled better on defense and got after the offense from the outset. Overall, I would say the defense probably had a better day."
The defense started fast by not allowing a first down on the first four possessions of the day. Bobby Price had a pair of pass deflections as the first-team defense held its offensive counterparts to a four-and-out to open the scrimmage. On the next set of downs, lineman Walter Brantley and linebacker Tyre Givers-Wilson both had stops behind the line of scrimmage to force another four-and-out.
Sacks by Matt Hodges and Ricky Thomas Jr. thwarted the third and fourth possessions by the offense, respectively.
After a special teams period, the offense gained its footing with a long 10+ play drive, which Gerald Hulett Jr. capped with a 3-yard touchdown run around the left end.
The offense also got into the end zone in the second half of the scrimmage when quarterback Juwan Carter found wideout Stuart Anderson for an 8-yard touchdown pass. After taking a short throw, Anderson broke a tackle and fought his way into the end zone.
Byers later notched a big turnover for the defense. He caught a Carter pass which was deflected at the line of scrimmage and nearly scored. Byers shook off a tackle by Carter and was caught just before the end zone by wideout Marcus Taylor.
Chandler's touchdown came after a blocked field goal a short time later.
Josh Nardone booted a trio of field goals for the offense in the scrimmage's second half, with a long of about 35 yards.
"We learned these past two weeks that we have a chance to be successful," Scott said. "Every coach is looking for consistency this time of year. It's hard in scrimmage-type situations, but you have to find ways to have both sides of the ball play well at the same time. Overall, we had a productive training camp."
The Spartans start first-semester classes Monday before beginning preparations for the season-opener against Virginia State in the Union Bank & Trust Labor Day Classic. The season kicks off at William "Dick" Price Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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