Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Playmakers abound in first football scrimmage of spring
04/03/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
April 3, 2010
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Although All-American running back Deji Karim has graduated, the Saluki offense appears to have no shortage of playmakers in his absence.
In a 60-play, controlled scrimmaged at McAndrew Stadium Saturday morning, several players stepped forward to fill the void left by Karim -- who scored 20 touchdowns for the Salukis last season.
Sophomore running back Steve Strother showed impressive speed and cutback ability -- ripping off the two biggest running plays of the day on gallops of 18 and 19 yards. He finished the morning with five carries for 40 yards.
"He does have that big-play capability," head coach Dale Lennon said. "Steve can make people miss, and he's quick enough where, if you take a wrong angle, he's going to get yardage."
Senior Lucien Walker demonstrated his trademark power running ability, racking up 24 yards on six carries. He shined during the "First Down Challenge" series, helping the offense push the ball out from the shadow of its end zone.
"I think we're sitting good at the running back position," said Lennon. "I really like the way Lucien is running with a lot of confidence. He has the power to get the tough yards."
Lennon said he was also pleased with the play of running backs Anton Wilkins and Shariff Harris, though those two had fewer opportunities.
It wasn't just the running backs that impressed. Both quarterbacks threw the ball well, with Chris Dieker taking most of the reps with the first team and completing 10-of-13 passes, while Paul McIntosh was 8-of-13, including an eight-yard touchdown strike to tight end Philip Schumacher.
"We do have two very good quarterbacks that are battling it out right now," Lennon said."We want to see how they do with the new offensive system. They'll get equal reps through spring ball. It'll be a battle going back and forth. I imagine one might have a good day and the other the next day -- that's just how competitors are."
Wide receiver Joe Allaria, who led the team with 52 catches last season, was a standout, catching five passes for 49 yards. On one play, he was rocked by safety E.J. Clark on a post pattern, but bounced back on the next play to make a superb leaping grab on the same pattern.
Senior wide receiver Anthony Seay didn't catch a single pass last season, but he flashed big-play ability by taking an end around for 20 yards, dodging a defender for a 19-yard gain on a pass from Taylor Beasley, and making a 22-yard reception on a throw from McIntosh. The only downside to Seay's day was that he left the scrimmage early with a shoulder injury.
"This is an important spring for Anthony," Lennon said. "It's a chance for him to make a statement and find his niche in the offense. We've been putting him in situations to see how he handles those opportunities, and today he took advantage."
A half dozen or so players did not participate in the scrimmage due to injury, though Lennon said the only serious injury at this point is to running back Richard White, who hurt his knee in the playoff game versus William & Mary.
"We'll do the same thing we did with Deji," said Lennon, referring to Karim's recovery from knee surgery heading into the 2009 season. "If Richard is 100 percent and ready, we're going to play him. If he's not at the top of his game, we have the luxury of a redshirt year."
Defensively, a few of the standouts were linebacker Jason DiManche, who was active in the pass rush and showed closing speed in coverage, and nose tackle Kayon Swanson, who stuffed several plays at the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Kyle Russo batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage, and linebacker Joe Okon registered a sack.
"We're trying to give the young players a lot of reps and give them an opportunity to learn the schemes," Lennon said. "The thing I look for is the enthusiasm, how we run around and how aggressive we are, and today, I thought they did well."
The team will have its next public scrimmage at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 10.
