After giving up almost 500 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the first scrimmage, the Alabama State University Hornets defense showed they can be dominating as well as they only allowed 174 total yards and one touchdown in Saturday's second scrimmage of preseason camp.
The Hornets offense lone touchdown came on the third series of the scrimmage when
Malcolm Cyrus broke off a 49 yard run and
Isaiah Crowell scored on the next carry from 21 yards out. The two-play, 70-yard drive was the only time the ASU offense found the end zone.
"Obviously you want to see your offense score points, but someone kept them from scoring," Head Coach
Reggie Barlow said. "I thought our defense played with the energy and excitement that you need to play with to be successful. Our offense, for whatever reason, was a little lethargic today. We didn't play with the tempo we wanted to play at, but it is all fixable. We have seen them play at that tempo so we know they can do it."
The Hornets defense made a total of 20 tackles behind the line of scrimmage; 10 of those were sacks (-65 yards) and the other 10 stops lost 27 yards.
Edward Mosley was the major disruption for the ASU offense with six sacks. The offense tried several players at tackle today but the 6-3, 260 pound junior from Atlanta was a disruption all over the field.
"Mosley has been having a really good camp and the things you were seeing today are things we have been seeing at every practice throughout the week," Barlow said. "He is an athletic guy and I believe Mosley is a 10-sack guy. The thing for him is he needs to continue to work and embrace the scheme and I think he is going to be all right."
After having only three penalties in the first scrimmage, the offense today had trouble with the yellow flag as they were whistled for 11 penalties which pushed them back a total of another 65 yards.
"We had some offsides and when we are not in rhythm that is what happens," Barlow said. "If we're playing fast and getting to the line of scrimmage and playing fast we don't have those issues. Today for whatever reason we were not playing with our normal tempo and guys were standing over the ball and not moving normally and that is what happens."
Daniel Duhart missed the first scrimmage but was back on the field today. He completed seven of his 16 pass attempts for 77 yards. He was hurt as there were several dropped passes throughout the scrimmage.
Arsenio Favor was only three of 10 passing for 47 yards, but like Duhart, he was hurt by several dropped passes.
"We have given both players a chance to work with both the one and two offenses to see what they can do," Barlow said. "We will sit down and watch this one (game film). We have been keeping every stat since the first practice and we will be able to look at those numbers and make a decision."
Cyrus led all rushers with 56 yards while
Andre Kincey carried the ball six times for 31 yards. Crowell finished the game with 19 yards on four carries.
Trey Jenkins and
Deontrelle Silmon led the ASU defense with four stops each and Demichael McQueen stopped the scrimmages best drive with a fumble recovery on the 19 yard line. The recovery stopped a 14 play, 46 yard drive.
The Hornets will be off on Sunday, but will be back on the practice field for their final two-a-day session Monday. The first practice begins at 9 a.m. with the evening session at 7 p.m.
