Positive performances on both sides of ball in Saluki Football Spring Game

Photo by: Madison Case

Positive performances on both sides of ball in Saluki Football Spring Game

04/08/2017 | 4:28:00 | Football

By: By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Saluki Football team wrapped up its spring season with the annual Spring Game on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon in front of more than 500 fans at Saluki Stadium.

Both sides of the ball had positive performances. The defense was stout against the run, holding five-different running backs to 47 yards on 22 carries. Linebacker Markese Jackson stuffed Jonathan Mixon for a two-yard loss on 4th-and-1 on the second series of the game. Defensive tackle Malik Haynes wrapped up Cameron Walter for a two-yard loss to shut down another drive.

"I thought (the defense) took away some things early in the scrimmage," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "They got a turnover in a two-minute situation right before the half — things that we've emphasized."

It wasn't until the fourth drive of the scrimmage that the offense started clicking. Backup quarterback Tanner Hearn, who had easily his best live scrimmage of the spring, completed five-straight passes and drove the second-team offense into field goal range, where Matt Sotiropoulos converted a 44-yard field goal. Hearn was 8-for-11 passing on the day for 41 yards and also showed some elusiveness in the running game, picking up 25 yards on five carries.

"I think Tanner has gotten a lot better," Hill said. "He's seeing that he can play at this level, and we're counting on him. He's one play away from being the starting quarterback. When you're a quarterback, you can't improve sitting on the sideline and not getting any reps. Tanner learns the best when he's on the field, like most quarterbacks."

On SIU's next drive, starting quarterback Sam Straub unleashed a 71-yard bomb to a wide open Darrell James for a touchdown.

"Sam showed he can play at a really high level," Hill said. "He has the tools to be a really good one. He's a competitor. I think we have a quarterback who can be really good, lead us and win. The best quarterbacks take that next step, which he's willing to do."

Straub missed a few open receivers, but had another positive performance, completing 10-of-16 for 144 yards and two TDs. He had one pass picked off by safety Jefferson Vea, after his receiver, Landon Lenoir, bobbled the ball.

"One thing I challenged (Straub) with is to be consistent," Hill said. "When the play is there to be had or made, there were a couple times in different scrimmages, we let a team off the hook. We have to have that killer instinct when the play is there."

The Salukis played without a handful of key weapons on offense due to injuries, such as receivers Connor Iwema and Jimmy Jones, tight end Jacob Varble and fullback Hans Carmien. All are expected to be back in time for training camp in August.

"We knew going into the scrimmage you're not going to look as sharp as you want to be without some of your ones," Hill said. "(Tight end) Jaylin Carter has gotten a million reps and we'll look back in the fall and be glad that he was able to get these reps."

Several receivers also took advantage of the extra reps, especially Landon Lenoir (4 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD), James (3 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD) and Raphael Leonard (2 catches, 23 yards).

"Landon consistently has had a great spring. He plays well in the slot, and he goes outside — he's a guy who can move all over the field," Hill said. "Darrell has been more consistent than he ever has. Each practice he came out with a mindset that he wanted to be good. I thought (Leonard) has had a good spring. He made a few really tough catches. Receivers should be a strength of ours."

The Salukis open the 2017 season at home on Sept. 9 against Mississippi Valley State. They also play marquee matchups against Northern Iowa on Family Weekend (Sept. 30) and Illinois State on Homecoming (Oct. 14). To purchase season tickets, call 877-SALUKIS.

RUSHING
Tanner Hearn: 5-for-25
Cameron Walter: 7-for-19, 1 TD
Daquan Isom: 7-for-16
Clay Rendleman: 2-for-5
Jonathan Mixon: 4-for-4
Chris Perkins: 2-for-3

PASSING
Sam Straub: 10-for-16, 144 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Tanner Hearn: 8-for-11, 41 yards

RECEIVING
Landon Lenoir: 4-for-31, 1 TD
Darrell James: 3-for-90, 1 TD
John Gardner: 3-for-5
Joe Patterson: 2-for-25
Raphael Leonard: 2-for-23
Chris Perkins: 2-for-2
Jonathan Mixon: 1-for-8
Jaylin Carter: 1-for-1

TACKLES (Solo/Assisted = Total)
Qua Brown: 4/2 = 6
Markese Jackson: 3/3 = 6
Airan Reed: 2/3 = 5
Withney Simon: 4/0 = 4
Charlie Harris: 3/1 = 4
C.J. Jennings: 2/1 = 3
Blake Parzych: 2/1 = 3
Tori Millender: 0/3 = 3
Vince Martin: 2/0 = 2
ShawnTrez Spates: 2/0 = 2
Jake Summers: 1/1 = 2
Malik Haynes: 1/1= 2
Dave Arendt: 0/2 = 2
Anthony Knighton: 0/2 = 2
Roman Tatum: 1/0 = 1
Jefferson Vea: 0/1 = 1
Ryan Neal: 0/1 = 1
Chucky Sullivan: 0/1 = 1
Kamahl March: 0/1 = 1
Torre Hopson: 0/1 = 1

TACKLES FOR LOSS
Withney Simon: 2-for-8
Malik Haynes: 1-for-2
Markese Jackson: 1-for-2
Dave Arendt: 1-for-2
Airan Reed: 1-for-1
Jordan Berner: 1-for-1

SACKS
Withney Simon: 1-for-6
Jordan Berner: 1-for-1
Dave Arendt: 1-for-2

INTERCEPTIONS
Jefferson Vea: 1

QB HURRIES
Jordan Berner: 2
Jake Summers: 1
Chucky Sullivan: 1
Malik Haynes: 1
Anthony Knighton: 1
Kamahl March: 1
Kyron Watson: 1
Blake Parzych: 1

PASS BREAKUPS
Roman Tatum: 2
C.J. Jennings: 1