Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Defense dominates first scrimmage of fall camp
08/12/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 12, 2010
By Jason Clay
www.SIUSalukis.com
Coordinator reactions to first scrimmage of training camp - Article by Tom Weber
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois defense limited the offense to just three field goals in the first scrimmage of the season for the Saluki football team, as SIU held a 65-play session on Thursday at Saluki Stadium.
Head coach Dale Lennon said that the coaching staff threw a bit more at the team then they normally do at this point of the season.
"To be honest with you, (the scrimmage) was dominated by the defense," Lennon said. "That's pretty normal for this time of the year, but as a coach, you kind of hope there's more give and take.
"It was probably more than they were ready to handle, so it probably did look a bit sloppy at times. The thing that it did for us though was show us what we need to work on and it was only practice No. 8, so we have a lot of work ahead of us."
Southern Illinois started the scrimmage with 20 scripted plays before going through five down and distance series. The Salukis then ended the session with some red zone work - both with their backs up against their own goal line and moving in towards the end zone.
In the 65 plays, the defense held the offense to 74 yards rushing on 32 carries and 12-of-28 passing for 90 yards. Senior kicker Kyle Dougherty scored the only points on the day, as he was 3-for-4 on field goal attempts with a long of 50.
Dougherty's 50-yard field goal came after quarterback Kory Faulkner led the team on a 6-play, 32-yard drive. Faulkner's 19-yard completion to Cam Fuller on that drive was the longest play of the day.
The Saluki defense had four tackles for a loss, one sack, three pass breakups and one forced fumble by freshman defensive back Kendall Lane.
Sophomore corner James McFadden created the only turnover on the day, as he stepped in front of Jeff Evans on a quick out pass from Chris Dieker. McFadden also added a tackle and a pass breakup to his line.
Linebackers Stephen Franklin and Houston Walker along with safety Boo Rodgers tied for the team lead with four tackles. Rodgers, a freshman and younger brother of former Saluki all-conference safety Marty Rodgers, had a strong showing and also was credited with a pass breakup.
Offensively, sophomore running back Steve Strother gained a team-high 29 yards on eight carries. Senior quarterback Chris Dieker was 6-for-14 for 41 yards and the one pick. His numbers were hampered by four dropped passes, one of which would have gone for big yardage.
"I felt comfortable," Dieker said. "As far as the huddle and play clock, we need to work on some stuff there. That was the first time we used the play clock all summer. But I feel comfortable in the system and what we are doing."
Evans finished as the teams leading receiver with three catches for 29 yards. Joe Allaria caught two balls for 12 yards and Fuller had two catches for 24 yards.
The Salukis will practice once again Friday morning and twice on Saturday before taking Sunday off - the teams first off day since camp began on Aug. 6. SIU's next scrimmage will be held on Thursday, Aug. 19.
"Today was good for the fact that we know now what we need to work on to take the next step," Lennon said. "Next week when we scrimmage I'm looking for marked improvement, hoping our clock management will be a lot better and overall execution should be better."
