Furman head coach Bobby Lamb scaled back Saturday’s Fan Day scrimmage at Paladin Stadium due to injuries, but fewer plays didn’t preclude some positive results for his squad.
“We would have liked to have gotten in about 80 plays today, but we went 53 due to the number of guys we have out,” said Lamb following the hour and half session. “It was a clean scrimmage from the standpoint we didn’t have any turnovers and procedure penalties — that was good to see — and some guys did some nice things, but it’s more challenging to evaluate when you have a number of guys out like we did today.”
Injuries deprived the Paladins of three of their top four linebackers on Saturday, including 2009 All-American Kadarron Anderson (hamstring) along with backups Rick Furman (hamstring) and Tim Lawerence (hamstring).
“Chris Wiley was the only linebacker out there with any game experience. The rest of them were pretty much walk-ons and freshmen.”
Other key performers who did not suit up for the scrimmage included defensive end Josh Lynn, who has missed almost two full weeks due to a concussion, tight end Jacob Longoria (knee), and offensive lineman David Barrington (knee).
“Most of the guys other than maybe David Barrington could have gone today if we had to have them, but with two weeks to go before our first game we want to be cautions and make sure these guys are 100 percent when they come back.”
Scrimmage highlights included a 19-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Brian Hayes to redshirt freshman split end Kevin Allman and 55-yard touchdown run by junior flanker Tyler Maples on a reverse.
Hayes and Allman hooked up on a 38-yard completion prior to the 19-yard scoring toss that capped the five-play, 50-yard scoring drive.
Jerry Williams led all rushers with seven rushes for 77 yards.
Freshman defensive end Shawn Boone recorded the lone sack when he tackled quarterback Josh Hollingsworth for a five-yard loss.
The most intense competition of the scrimmage was registered by junior Chas Short and freshman Ray Early, who are battling to secure the squad’s punting, placekicking, and kickoff duties. Both players went 6-for-11 on field goal attempts ranging from 36 to 51 yards.
The duo also took turns punting and kicking off. Lamb has indicated it is unlikely one player will fill all three tasks this fall.
“We tried to turn up the pressure on those guys by letting them step out on the field by themselves on kickoffs and punts. We got the whole team out there yelling at them when they were kicking field goals. They both looked pretty good.”
Furman will return to the practice field on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
