Scrimmage scribbles: News, notes from LA Tech's 2nd scrimmage

Cory Diaz
The News Star

RUSTON – Defensive line won the day.

In terms of improvements from scrimmage one to two, Louisiana Tech's D-line looked more game ready than the offensive line, or any of the other units on the team for that matter.

Tech’s second scrimmage of the fall more closely mimicked a game, with the team lining up and running roughly 100 plays spanning two full hours with the first-string offense matching up with the second-string defense, and vice versa. The last two series, both first-team units did battle it out.

Here are things I observed from Louisiana Tech’s second fall scrimmage (Note: Stats are unofficial. A two-deep depth chart will not be set until the week of the South Alabama game Sept. 1):

Louisiana Tech University held it's first practice of the season on the practice fields next to Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, La. on August 3.

Ball security was one of the bigger talking points for Bulldogs head coach Skip Holtz after the first scrimmage. His quarterbacks did a much better job taking care of the football Saturday. Starter J’Mar Smith put up a clean sheet, going 9-for-15 for 94 yards. Backup Westin Elliott threw the lone interception on the day, but countered with two scores through the air, completing 11-of-16 passes.

Elliott flashed his dime-dropping ability, connecting with redshirt sophomore Jake Norris on a 40-yard touchdown pass on the first play of a series. He later dropped a ball into sophomore George Scott down the home sideline for a 36-yard pickup.

MORE | Run game shows flashes despite hobbled O-line in LA Tech's 2nd scrimmage

In Jaqwis Dancy’s place, JUCO transfer redshirt sophomore running back Justin Henderson put together the best day from a tailback’s had all camp, rolling up 72 yards on seven carries. He scores the first touchdown, breaking off a 42-yard run against the second-string defense. He added a 5-yard touchdown later, capping the first-team offense’s best drive of the day marching 12 plays, 80 yards.

Kam McKnight, who missed the first scrimmage and a handful of practices, was back out there and worked with the second-team offense at first, but then lined up with the one’s. He had 12 rushes for 60 yards.

Redshirt senior Hanner Shipley filled in for Michael Rodriguez, who’s missed practice most this week, at right tackle and redshirt freshman Joshua Mote picked up at left guard in place for Drew Kirkpatrick. The rest of the offensive line was in place with Ethan Reed at right guard, Kody Russey at center and senior O’Shea Dugas at left tackle.

MORE | What to watch from LA Tech's second scrimmage

I’ve been reluctant to say this, but it’s official for me. Jaylon Ferguson, now playing at 263 pounds, has returned to his “Sack Daddy” ways and is poised for a monster senior season. He finished the scrimmage with three sacks and had another tackle-for-loss. “Sack Daddy” was yelled from his teammates quite a few times Saturday.

Redshirt senior Matthew Ydarraga played with the one’s at the end position opposite Ferguson and had a solid day. While playing against the one’s, senior end Immanuel Turner made a case for a harder look to start on the defensive line, collecting a sack and was getting consistent penetration on run plays.

Jordan Baldwin has all but locked up at starting job in Baker's defense. He pieced together one of the better performances on defense today, with a sack, a tackle-for-loss and was around the ball a lot.

Freshman free safety BeeJay Williamson continued his solid play in camp. He's still with the two's on defense right now, but look for the young guy to get more attention from coaches the rest of camp.

It’s possible the kicking competition may be all but wrapped up. Eastern New Mexico graduate transfer Bailey Hale was the one place kicker to get any action Saturday and went 4-for-5, the longest coming from 47 yards and his miss was a short attempt from the same distance.

Freshman safety Xavier Lodge had the pick for Tech’s defense. Redshirt junior end Charles Adeola forced a fumble and redshirt junior defensive tackle La’Dante Davenport recovered it.

MORE | News, notes from LA Tech's first fall scrimmage

Teddy Veal and Rhashid Bonnette had quiet days, combining for one catch and Adrian Hardy stepped up. The redshirt sophomore wide out was targeted a handful of times and hauled in three catches for 24 yards.

Injury Update: A couple of injuries occurred on the defensive side of the ball during Louisiana Tech's scrimmage. Redshirt junior cornerback Michael Sam went down late with a rib injury and JUCO transfer linebacker Trey Baldwin injured his arm. Their injuries aren't expected to keep them out long. Dancy, chest, and Rodriguez, mild concussion, as well as redshirt junior and starting left guard Drew Kirkpatrick missed with a knee, sat out. Senior defensive tackles Jordan Bradford missed Saturday. Redshirt freshman Jacorian Andrews was out, too.

Tight end Zach Cousar, defensive lineman Courtney Wallace, linebackers Eric Kendzior and Reggie Cleveland and safety Ephraim Kitchen were all out and will miss at least the season opener at South Alabama. 

Highlight of the Day:

Smith found redshirt sophomore Alfred Smith floating behind the linebackers over the middle and the slot receiver no-looked a spin off of a tackle, turning up for a 36-yard gain. 

MORE | LA Tech's first scrimmage features 'good and bad'

Quotables:

Skip Holtz, head coach: "This is our first real scrimmage, guys eyes got big and we couldn't make the routine play. We struggled up front on the offensive line. We got a couple of injuries there, they'll be back next week, we need them back. If you can't block them, you can't evaluate everybody else. The quarterbacks were running for their life back there. It was hard to get anything established. There were a couple of good plays on both sides of the ball. But the biggest thing I took from this scrimmage is we got to get better up front."

Jaylon Ferguson, senior defensive end: "Most definitely. I thought the defensive line dominated. But we're not your average defensive line. I feel like the other defensive linemen in our conference do not even compare to us. So if our O-line can stop us, or give us a good fight, then I have no doubt they can stop anybody else in this conference."

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