MOBILE, Ala. — Quarterbacks Brennan Sim and Myles Gibbon each threw two touchdown passes Saturday as South Alabama’s offense passed for 286 yards in the first scrimmage of spring practice, while the defense held the running game to 66 yards on 58 carries.
Passing Leaders
Sim completed 11 of 21 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Gibbon was 6 of 9 for 92 yards and two scores, and Gabe Graham completed all four of his attempts for 22 yards.
Eleven players caught passes. Kelly Vail led the receivers with four catches for 111 yards, and Courtney Smith had three for 38.
Defense Controls the Run
The defense allowed more than eight yards per pass play but was credited with 18 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks.
Linebacker Justin Dunn and defensive lineman Darrius McMullin each had seven tackles. Enrique Williams had five tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Defensive back Jonathan Cameron had three tackles and three pass breakups, and Ken Barefield and Zach Brownell each forced a fumble.
How It Unfolded
The first- and second-team defenses forced three-and-outs on their opening possessions. Graham, the third-team quarterback, produced the first first down of the day with a 10-yard completion to Courtney Smith.
On the first team’s next series, Sim hit Vail in stride inside the 5, but Brownell chased him down from behind and forced a fumble that rolled out of the back of the end zone.
Two possessions later, Ross picked up a first down on his first carry, and Gibbon followed with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Corey Besteda along the left sideline.
The defense responded with consecutive three-and-outs that included three sacks in six plays, and Eddie Cabrera ended the next possession with an interception he returned 17 yards. The offense managed five first downs in the first half but no other points.
The defense opened the second half with four straight three-and-outs. Brandon Ross later produced two first downs, but the offense did not score until possessions began at the defense’s 40-yard line.
From there, Sim connected with Vail for 36 yards to move inside the 5, and three plays later found Ryne Baxter in the left corner of the end zone. Gibbon opened the next drive with an 18-yard pass to Richard Ross, and Jordan Means finished it with a 30-yard field goal.
Goal-Line Finish
The final four drives started with first-and-goal at the 9. Michel Chapuseaux kicked a 23-yard field goal on the first. Sim then hit Smith on a fourth-down slant for an 8-yard touchdown, and Gibbon closed the scrimmage with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Robby Stoner.
Jones Sees Progress
“Offensively, I think we are throwing the ball a little bit better. That has been an area that we have been looking to improve on,” head coach Joey Jones said. “Our defense has just gotten tougher against the run, which is what you want to see. Last fall, it was a little bit porous at times, but they have done a great job of improving.”
“We’ve made some improvements in the last week-and-a-half, but we have got to have a great week this week,” Jones said. “The next four practices we have need to be great, because when we get to Monday the week of the spring game we are basically going to be done at that point as far as trying to get better. I think the kids will respond to that challenge.”
Schedule
The Jaguars practice in pads with limited contact at 7 a.m. Monday and resume tackling at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The second of three spring scrimmages is set for Saturday, March 6. This week’s practices and the scrimmage will be held at the Jaguar Practice Facility near the Jaguar football fieldhouse.
