After mixed results in the first scrimmage, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff defense made several big plays in the second football scrimmage of fall camp Monday night.
The starting defense did well in UAPB’s first scrimmage on Aug. 10, but the second string had a tougher time. Monday, all groups combined to force three turnovers while allowing just two touchdowns.
Head coach Alonzo Hampton said the younger defensive players showed improvement.
“They had been making a lot of mistakes, but tonight, they kinda put it all together,” Hampton said. “I think the defensive coaches had a really good game plan, kinda slowed it down for them. So, what you saw was young guys stepping up, making plays, which was good, because throughout camp, they ain’t always had those kinds of days.”
The first big play came from defensive back Tavon Hardwick. After the defense gave up just one first down via penalty during the first four possessions, the starting offense finally drove down the field and reached the red zone. The defense forced a 29-yard field goal attempt, and Hardwick flew in from the offense’s left side and blocked the kick.
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A few drives later, all three defensive groups forced consecutive turnovers.
First, freshman defensive back Dyelon Caradine intercepted a pass from freshman quarterback Landon Holcomb and took it back for a touchdown. Three plays later, fellow freshman Zach Williams intercepted Mekhi Hagens. The next play, Isaiah Jones recovered a fumble after a dropped snap.
Toward the end of the scrimmage, defensive end Anas Luqman sacked Hagens on fourth down to end a two-minute drill.
Although some of the freshmen made big plays, Hampton said the defense is, overall, more experienced than the offense. That, combined with a few offensive linemen sitting out of the scrimmage, contributed to how things went.
“The defensive line is more experienced than our offensive line, so that’s where we’ll come in as coaches,” Hampton said. “We’ll have a game plan to help those guys out a little bit. But what you saw is an older unit on the defensive side of the football. They took advantage of the young pups at times, and that’s where the energy came from.”
As well as the defense played, the offense had its moments. Hagens threw two touchdown passes, and running back Johness Davis ran for another score. Kicker Trey Glymph recovered from having his first kick blocked by later connecting on a 39-yard attempt.
Hampton reiterated Monday he and the coaches plan to review the film from the scrimmage and inform the team who will start at quarterback on Wednesday. Of note, Hagens received nine drives Monday, while Stevenson received four.
Offensive coordinator Tony Hull said he decided to stick with what was working as the scrimmage progressed.
“We struggled a little bit in the beginning offensively, and it wasn’t just up front,” Hull said. “It was some of our decision-making. So, I decided to go with what hand was hot, and (Hagens) was moving the ball.”
Stevenson’s first three drives resulted in a three-and-out, a blocked field goal, and a fumble. His fourth was in a four-minute drill where Davis got the ball inside the 10-yard line before Stevenson took a knee.
Hagens’ first two drives led to punts, but he led touchdown drives on three of his next four with an interception on the other.
Hagens had big numbers in the first scrimmage, but the defense made it tougher Monday. He completed 7 of 12 passes for 72 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Stevenson didn’t get as many opportunities in the scrimmage as Hagens, but he was more efficient with the chances he had. The junior college transfer completed 5 of 6 passes for 58 yards.
Davis stood out at running back, rushing for 73 yards on 11 carries. His touchdown came on a drive which started at the defense’s 20-yard line. Davis carried the ball on four of the drive’s five plays, picking up 16 of the 20 yards himself.
Later, during a four-minute drill, he carried the ball four straight plays to get the ball from the offense’s 35-yard line to the defense’s 7-yard line, including one 40-yard burst.
Monday’s scrimmage was the last of fall camp. UAPB opens the season on Aug. 29 against Arkansas at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.