MOBILE, Ala. — Quarterbacks Myles Gibbon and C.J. Bennett each threw two touchdown passes, and the South Alabama defense forced three turnovers during a seven-series scoreless stretch in the Jaguars’ first scrimmage of the 2010 preseason on Saturday.
The scrimmage gave a large number of players time on the field as head coach Joey Jones’ staff evaluates the roster for the program’s second season, following an undefeated inaugural season in 2009.
Quick Strike, Then a Defensive Stand
On the first regular offensive series, Gibbon found Lamontis Gardner open over the middle for a 70-yard touchdown. The defense then held the offense scoreless for its next seven series.
During that stretch, Bennett was sacked once, and Ucambre Williams recovered a fumbled exchange between quarterback Raymond Cotton and a running back. Linebacker Bryson James intercepted a pass from Brennan Sim, and linebacker Enrique Williams intercepted Bennett. Gibbon led a drive from midfield that included a 17-yard run by Brandon Ross, and Michel Chapuseaux made a 46-yard field goal.
Bennett ended the first half with a scoring drive from midfield. He completed a 25-yard pass to Corey Besteda and a first-down throw to Gardner, and his pass near the goal line was tipped and caught in the end zone by Bryant Lavender for a touchdown.
Offense Responds After Halftime
The offense scored on several second-half series. Gibbon’s opening drive survived multiple holding penalties that wiped out apparent touchdown runs, and it ended with Gibbon scoring on a quarterback sneak after a 15-yard completion to Courtney Smith and a defensive penalty.
Bennett then moved the offense from the 20, running to the 8 to set up first-and-goal, and Ryan Scott scored on a run. On a later series, Sim handed off to Santuan McGee on third-and-short, and McGee ran 42 yards for a touchdown.
Gibbon added a third-and-goal touchdown pass to Ryne Baxter. Bennett, starting at his own 8, found T.J. Glover crossing the middle, and Glover turned upfield along the left sideline for a 79-yard gain. Two plays later, Bennett threw a touchdown pass to Corey Waldon. Cotton’s goal-line series ended with a touchdown pass to Jared Palmer.
Scrimmage Statistics
- Myles Gibbon: 6 of 8 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
- C.J. Bennett: 7 of 13 for 162 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
- T.J. Glover: two catches for 106 yards.
- Corey Besteda, Lamontis Gardner and Ralph Turner: multiple receptions each.
- Brandon Ross: 23 yards on two carries.
- Raymond Cotton and Ellis Hill: 17 rushing yards each.
- Enrique Williams: team-high tackles and an interception.
- Bryson James: three tackles and an interception.
- Kendell Bagnerise and Rodney Thomas: one sack each.
Special Teams Work
The scrimmage opened with kickoff coverage, with Chapuseaux and Jordan Means handling kickoffs; most of Chapuseaux’s kicks landed inside the 10. Glover and Turner returned kickoffs. Scott Garber and Means handled punting, with Glover, Lavender, Jereme Jones and T.J. Lawrence fielding punts. Chapuseaux, Means and Lawson McGlon split extra point duties.
The session closed with a series of quick field goals. Chapuseaux made kicks of 37, 44 and 47 yards. Means’ first attempt was disrupted by a bad snap, and he missed from 37 and 44 yards, both wide left; he also missed a 32-yard attempt earlier in the scrimmage. McGlon completed a pass on a fake field goal attempt that came up short of the end zone, then made a 44-yarder to end the day.
Injuries
At least three Jaguars did not take part. Linebackers Justin Dunn and Jake Johnson sat out with ankle sprains, and Romelle Jones is expected to miss about three weeks with a sprained knee. Defensive back Darrow Fisher was injured on a draw play during the first half, a concern for the coaching staff at a position where depth is already being watched closely.
