Quarterback Mekhi Hagens and wide receiver Kristian Gammage connected for three touchdowns Saturday morning in the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s first scrimmage of fall camp.
“[Hagens] has grown, got a lot of confidence,” head coach Alonzo Hampton said. “The coaches are putting a lot of time and effort into him, and he’s growing up. So, it’s good. He’s been around here a while now. It’s time for him to grow up, so what you see is, he’s not even been running with the ones, but he’s just continuing to get better leading the guys from whatever [the coaches] ask him to do.”
Hagens and Gammage’s first touchdown was the only score in the scrimmage’s first half. Hagens found the University of Arkansas at Monticello transfer on a deep shot for a 58-yard score. They later connected on touchdown passes of 26 and 27 yards in the second half.
Gammage finished with five catches for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Tony Hull said this was one of Gammage’s best performances in a while.
“I saw Gammage take a step forward today,” Hull said. “He’s been in a bit of a lull at the end of spring and the start of fall camp, but I seen him today take a step forward and try to get out of the rut he’s been in. I’m really proud of him and the development he’s been so far.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB rotated through four quarterbacks throughout the morning, but Hagens and DJ Stevenson got the most reps. Hagens, Stevenson and true freshman Landon Holcomb each got two drives starting from their own two-yard line to begin the scrimmage. The next set of drives began at the offense’s own 25-yard line, with Hagens and Gammage scoring their first touchdown on Hagens’ last possession of the set.
After a halftime break, each group got three drives starting at the defense’s 40-yard line, then the scrimmage ended with three drives each from the defense’s 25.
Hagens and Gammage worked with the No. 2 offense against the No. 2 defense. After scoring on their final drive of the first half, Hagens’ group scored on five of their six second-half possessions.
Hagens completed 13 of 17 passes for 212 yards and four touchdowns. On one play, he had to run away from the pass rush but somehow fired off a 34-yard touchdown pass. He also rushed for a two-yard touchdown.
Hull said he has seen plenty of growth from Hagens this fall.
“I see a guy who has spent all summer training, trying to work on his craft,” Hull said. “I see a guy gaining confidence, but more importantly, I see a guy that’s competing and loving football. That’s what you want to see out of a quarterback position battle.”
Stevenson worked with the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense, and the defensive starters were a tougher challenge. Stevenson finished 9 of 13 for 64 yards and one touchdown, a 30-yard completion on his final play of the day.
The starting offense scored one other time on an 11-yard run by Tennessee Tech transfer OJ Ross. He was one of four running backs to score but led the way with 75 yards on 11 carries.
Hampton said the defensive front looked good, but he needs more from the secondary.
“Obviously, [defensive end] Anas Luqman is a tremendous player,” Hampton said. “Got a sack early in the game. … He did a great job, and it was just really guys in the secondary. They gotta continue to improve. We got a lot of young guys, but it’s not a big deal. They just gotta grow up fast. We’ll stick them out there against Arkansas. Overall, we’re going to have to play good team defense and run to the ball.”
UAPB is scheduled to scrimmage again on Aug. 17.