Going to be a short one as I wasn't able to catch numbers today during live scrimmage section when all the scoring occurred. But I'll share what I have....
By the Numbers, the defense did win the practice by I believe 12 points, but from watching you would of been surprised by this as the offense made a LOT of progress today. All in all it was a stale-mate, the defense would make a play, but the offense would come right back and counter. Great day for the TEAM.
First off, I want to share some things I heard Coach Mullen telling the team as the practice was ending. The Defense won the scrimmage, but today was the best practice we have had, and it still was not very good. Consider that the #1 Practice of the spring. The offense did a couple good things, the defense did a couple good things. Today was the first time we have done good things as a TEAM in practice, there had been good individual efforts, but today was the first time as a TEAM.
Mullen then went on to discuss the schedule for tomorrow.. (Practice has been moved up to 1:30, he said he wanted to have them off their feet and resting by 4 for the scrimmage on Saturday.) and then let some coaches talk about things, (Good Friday service at the chapel), and then Rockey began talking about this being Blue and Black? weekend.. so the cops will be out heavily and to be aware of that and make good decisions. Coach Mullen chimed in and quickly asked, after a hard day practice.. who honestly wanted to go downtown tonight?? anyone.. raise your hand. Of course, noone did. and he even jokingly asked dixon if he was wanting anything.. haha. But he then went on to say about how is it worth it for one night downtown to ruin what we are doing as a TEAM. Asking each other to be responsible to the team. "We Build our program on Accountability and Trust".
So a heads up to anyone heading out this weekend in starkville, seems the police presence will be stepped up..and if you see a football player..dont buy them a drink and socialize.... kick em in the butt and tell to get home.
Onto practice.
Not sure if this has been reported before, as Injuries come and go... But midway through the defensive drills, Bo walters dropped pants and got his hamstring wrapped up. Again not sure if this is a new problem or lingering.
Sliding over to the WR Drills, Coach Mullen was chewing on the remaining WR's about the Skinny Post pattern, as O'Neal Wilder had just run it, and went over the top of the corner instead of cutting under and forcing him to play over the top. Oneal was not the only one though, as Coach Mullen stays on the WR and QB pretty much all of the practices. The Freshmen coming this fall are much needed.
Next Drill of note was the Backs going against the LB's in coverage off the line. The Backs did the best job I have seen them do in any of any practices yet, Dixon has stepped it up and was shaking his defender off with his moves every time and CATCHING the ball. Coach Torbush was constantly saying "Give me 10" to several of the LBs when they got beat.. and kept reminding them to read the back..and do not look at the QB's eyes.
In the red-zone scrimmage section of practice, the Offense scored 4 out of the 5 possessions that I noted. Hemphill is a horse and the staff is riding him in the redzone. When he gets the ball inside the 5 yard line, he does exactly what is asked of him..by being a "down hill" runner. He accounted for 3 of the 4 TDs scored, running with the 1st and 2nd team offense. I don't remember seeing Dixon in the backfield during the red zone section any.
The other score come on a pass from Relf to Delmon on an out route.. when he caught the ball he was a couple yards short of the endzone and right on the out of bounds line.. but he fought and stretched his arm out across the line for the score. and celebrated wildly. A good day of practice for Delmon!
Finishing out the practice, both offenses went for the 2pt play..and both converted on nearly the same play..to the same player. O'Neal Wilder with the first team I believe ran a crossing route RIGHT on the goal line, as Tyson rolled to the right with a blocker in front who delivered a nice cut block on the containing defensive end.
Relf stepped up to the challenge also and converted, dropping back a couple steps and looking to the goalline, where O'neal was running a quick slant and wide open.
All in all, It was a good day for the offense, and still a good day for the defense. I look forward very much to taking in the scrimmage this weekend.
**Note, to anyone who is attending tomorrows practice, its been moved up to 1:30 per BDJ.. as I noted Coach Mullen wants them off their feet and resting by 4 for the scrimmage Saturday.
By the Numbers, the defense did win the practice by I believe 12 points, but from watching you would of been surprised by this as the offense made a LOT of progress today. All in all it was a stale-mate, the defense would make a play, but the offense would come right back and counter. Great day for the TEAM.
First off, I want to share some things I heard Coach Mullen telling the team as the practice was ending. The Defense won the scrimmage, but today was the best practice we have had, and it still was not very good. Consider that the #1 Practice of the spring. The offense did a couple good things, the defense did a couple good things. Today was the first time we have done good things as a TEAM in practice, there had been good individual efforts, but today was the first time as a TEAM.
Mullen then went on to discuss the schedule for tomorrow.. (Practice has been moved up to 1:30, he said he wanted to have them off their feet and resting by 4 for the scrimmage on Saturday.) and then let some coaches talk about things, (Good Friday service at the chapel), and then Rockey began talking about this being Blue and Black? weekend.. so the cops will be out heavily and to be aware of that and make good decisions. Coach Mullen chimed in and quickly asked, after a hard day practice.. who honestly wanted to go downtown tonight?? anyone.. raise your hand. Of course, noone did. and he even jokingly asked dixon if he was wanting anything.. haha. But he then went on to say about how is it worth it for one night downtown to ruin what we are doing as a TEAM. Asking each other to be responsible to the team. "We Build our program on Accountability and Trust".
So a heads up to anyone heading out this weekend in starkville, seems the police presence will be stepped up..and if you see a football player..dont buy them a drink and socialize.... kick em in the butt and tell to get home.
Onto practice.
Not sure if this has been reported before, as Injuries come and go... But midway through the defensive drills, Bo walters dropped pants and got his hamstring wrapped up. Again not sure if this is a new problem or lingering.
Sliding over to the WR Drills, Coach Mullen was chewing on the remaining WR's about the Skinny Post pattern, as O'Neal Wilder had just run it, and went over the top of the corner instead of cutting under and forcing him to play over the top. Oneal was not the only one though, as Coach Mullen stays on the WR and QB pretty much all of the practices. The Freshmen coming this fall are much needed.
Next Drill of note was the Backs going against the LB's in coverage off the line. The Backs did the best job I have seen them do in any of any practices yet, Dixon has stepped it up and was shaking his defender off with his moves every time and CATCHING the ball. Coach Torbush was constantly saying "Give me 10" to several of the LBs when they got beat.. and kept reminding them to read the back..and do not look at the QB's eyes.
In the red-zone scrimmage section of practice, the Offense scored 4 out of the 5 possessions that I noted. Hemphill is a horse and the staff is riding him in the redzone. When he gets the ball inside the 5 yard line, he does exactly what is asked of him..by being a "down hill" runner. He accounted for 3 of the 4 TDs scored, running with the 1st and 2nd team offense. I don't remember seeing Dixon in the backfield during the red zone section any.
The other score come on a pass from Relf to Delmon on an out route.. when he caught the ball he was a couple yards short of the endzone and right on the out of bounds line.. but he fought and stretched his arm out across the line for the score. and celebrated wildly. A good day of practice for Delmon!
Finishing out the practice, both offenses went for the 2pt play..and both converted on nearly the same play..to the same player. O'Neal Wilder with the first team I believe ran a crossing route RIGHT on the goal line, as Tyson rolled to the right with a blocker in front who delivered a nice cut block on the containing defensive end.
Relf stepped up to the challenge also and converted, dropping back a couple steps and looking to the goalline, where O'neal was running a quick slant and wide open.
All in all, It was a good day for the offense, and still a good day for the defense. I look forward very much to taking in the scrimmage this weekend.
**Note, to anyone who is attending tomorrows practice, its been moved up to 1:30 per BDJ.. as I noted Coach Mullen wants them off their feet and resting by 4 for the scrimmage Saturday.