Running game featured on Day Three of Saluki Football camp

08/03/2018 | 6:39:00 | Football

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By: By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Day three of Saluki Football training camp on Friday featured players in shoulder pads for the first time. That led to some hearty collisions between running backs and defenders, although tackling to the ground was prohibited for safety reasons.

The Salukis have a deep stable of running backs, each with something to prove, though. Junior D.J. Davis is a flashy, 5-foot-8 all-purpose back who had 336 yards and three TDs on the ground in 2017, plus 35 catches for 337 yards and three more touchdowns. He's a threat to go the distance every time he touches it.

"He can do it all," said running backs coach Nate Griffin. "He'll be spread out catching balls, the jet sweep. He'll have a true shot to carry it from the backfield. He's a smart kid, leader, cares about his teammates, does everything right."

Griffin expects a bounce-back season from senior running back Jonathan Mixon, who averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns in 2016, but saw those numbers drop to 2.9 yards and four TDs a year ago. Mixon is a powerfully built runner, well-suited to run between the tackles, but also possesses a burst.

"He is going to surprise a lot of people," Griffin said. "He's going to have a chance to show what I know and believe he can do. He's faster than what people think. He is a stud. I wouldn't want to tackle him. He gets better and stronger the more he touches the ball. He will wear people out. He has no ego and will do anything you ask."

On the way off the practice field today, defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson admitted the defense had a tough time just laying a hand on Mixon.

Keep an eye on Nate Strong. A transfer from Missouri, who sat out last season, he played his way into shape during spring ball and appears to have added an extra gear heading into the fall.

"He has the physical tools," Griffin said. "Like anything else, coming into a new system he has to learn it. That's his task — learning the plays and terminology. He's getting his body in shape and tuned in. For his size, he's freaky fast."

Toward the beginning of each practice, the first-team offense and defense are pitted against each other in a pre-determined situation. Yesterday, it was the Red Zone and the offense won. Today, the offense started at the defense 35 and it was another close battle until QB Sam Straub hit WR Matt Quarells with a laser on a post route for a 19-yard touchdown.

The defense had the upper hand throughout the second half of practice. During Skeleton passing, CB James Ceasar perfectly timed his break to intercept a pass intended for WR Sam Bonansinga. Linebacker Cody Crider made a similar play shortly thereafter. In 11-on-11, DT Devin Jones and DT Blake Parzych both picked up sacks, as the offensive line struggled at times to protect the quarterback.

"I thought the defense closed the practice really well, had a lot of energy, and they had a couple takeaways today," said head coach Nick Hill.

With shoulder pads on, players seemed excited to mix it up a little bit. S Jeremy Chinn welcomed RB Tremayne Lee to college football with a shoulder pop that de-cleated the true freshman. RB Nate Strong returned the favor with a solid pop that sent Crider backward.