University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Balanced in Second Scrimmage
4/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team scrimmaged for the second time this spring in full pads under the lights of Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. The team participated in scripted scrimmage on Thursday evening.
"I think there was enough things to like and to build on," head coach Todd Monken said of his team's second scrimmage of the spring. "There were some guys who came up with some big plays. This is the closest thing we have to a game. I think we are on the right path with our depth and in terms of how hard guys are playing. I think there was enough on either side to like."
Offensively, the Golden Eagles put up 369 yards of total offense, scoring three touchdowns on the night.
The passing attack was balanced with returning starter Nick Mullens finishing the night 11-for-23 for 129 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, while transfer Tyler Matthews boasted 115 yards on 14-for-20 passing with a touchdown.
D.J. Thompson led the team in receiving yards, pulling down three receptions for 61 total yards, including a long of 35. Michael Thomas also grabbed eight ball for 57 total yards and a touchdown. Thomas' day was highlighted by a 46-yard reception from Matthews. James Cox led the team with eight receptions on the day, finishing with 53 yards and a touchdown. Kyle Foster had just one catch, but made it count for 37 yards and a first down.
The running game saw Tez Parks and Daythan Davis split the lion-share of the carries. Parks ended the night with 70 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. Davis notched 32 yards on 12 touches with a long of 13. In addition, Delaunte' Thornton got six carries for 18 yards.
Defensively, the Nasty Bunch combined for 7.0 sacks and 2.0 tackles for loss. In addition, the defense recorded a pair of interceptions in the end zone. The defense also forced and recovered a fumble at the one yard line and recorded a safety.
Seven different players on the defense notched sacks in the scrimmage. Brian Anderson, Michael Smith and Darian Yancey each had sacks of 10 yards apiece. Xavier Thigpen and D'Nerius Antoine got to the QB for losses of eight and seven yards, respectively. C.J. Perry added a six-yard sack while Illiad Kelly rounded out the stops with a two-yard sack.
Yancey posted a solo tackle for loss, while Anderson and Antoine combined for a TFL that resulted in a safety.
Walden Davis and Deshadrick Truly highlighted the defensive backfield by recording an interception apiece in the end zone to prevent scores. Antoine also kept the offense out of the end zone by jumping on a fumble at the one-yard line caused by Truly.
The special teams unit saw three different kickers used in the scrimmage. Parker Shaunfield kicked a team-long 40-yard field goal, while Nick Vogel added a 37-yard FG. Stephen Brauchle kicked off and made a TD-saving tackle. In addition, Brauchle also made a PAT.
The Golden Eagles return to practice Sunday at 3:45 p.m. Practice is open to the general public. Fans are asked to show ID to gain admittance to practice.
The Golden Eagles open their 2015 season at home on Sept. 5, against in-state foe Mississippi State. Season tickets for the upcoming football season can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays during normal business hours.
