Eagles' finish last scrimmage

[Toby]

Several hundred Lambuth fans dotted L.L. Fonville Field on Saturday to watch the Eagles' final scrimmage of fall camp.
Players met with fans for pictures and conversation before the scrimmage. The starters participated in mostly non-contact, seven-on-seven drills, but didn't play in the scrimmage to rest for the season-opener Thursday against Kentucky Christian.

Senior safety Dominique Bowman enjoyed a break from the action but said he is ready to hit somebody not wearing Lambuth blue. "Our locker room is really intense, and we are ready to roll," Bowman said. "We face the best offense in the country everyday, so we are ready to play anybody.

"But I am tired of hearing (quarterback) Adam Wiese making checks at the line. I am ready for another team."
Bowman said Wiese has greatly matured this offseason, but Bowman also has improved in making defensive audibles under second-year defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

"Allen expects a lot from the safeties and gives us the freedom to make checks if we see something," Bowman said.
The defense, especially the secondary, has been the rave this offseason after allowing gobs of passing yards and 65 points to Lindenwood. Offensive coordinator Grant Heard said practice is frustrating at times, and he hopes this is the best defense his unit faces. "They are so much more sound and much more aggressive," Heard said.

Bowman, senior Anton Anderson and sophomore Rashad Taylor (Dyersburg) are three of the top defensive backs.
Fans also saw their first action of several high-profile transfers.

Running back Ben Stallings (Delta State) carried several times, wide receiver E.J. Adams (Kentucky) made a one-handed catch and kicker Nathan O'Jibway (Florida State) boomed several deep kickoffs.

In the scrimmage, freshman quarterbacks Kelvin Martin and Nathan Jolley received most of the snaps.
Both had success in spots, but each also made turnovers to end long drives.

Jesse Ferrell caught a 40-yard touchdown pass while Jolley added a 60-yard scoring run.
The offensive line, the biggest question mark entering the season, opened running lanes for most of the game.
The defense didn't put much pressure on Lambuth quarterbacks.

"We call the offensive line 'The Pitt Crew,' named after (line coach Don Pitt)," Pitt said. "We have three guys returning with some experience, but we will rotate a lot of guys in there.

"Because of spread offenses we can run, the biggest change for a linemen is conditioning just because we run so many plays."
The offensive line will feature Jacob Yandell, Josh Profit and Bobby Ingalls, but Pitt said younger guys are learning quickly and will be used.
-Matt Vines, 425-9634

August 23, 2009

Eagles finish last scrimmage
By MATT VINES
mvines1@jacksonsun.com