SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Saturday, the Wofford football team went through the first two-a-day practice. The second session was a 100-play scripted scrimmage that was highlighted by two long touchdown passes by Mitch Allen to Montae Monroe and Will Irwin.
“When you work a week, I think there are expectations of every group where they should be,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “There were things that went on tonight where we did not step up and make right. We have the makings of a good football team, but there were guys that I thought got lost in the moment assignment-wise. It was the first time we went eleven-on-eleven and it was one of those things where you hope for better. The biggest thing that frustrated me was when things went wrong and we did not respond the way that we needed too. We have some young guys that we have to give more reps and more of an opportunity to be in the fire at a higher pace.”
The morning practice lasted two hours. The wide receivers made several big plays, including a nice one-handed grab by Brenton Bersin. On defense, Jeremy Holt and Tyrese Little each had tackles for loss.
The first scrimmage of the preseason was held on the practice fields, which began after a slight delay due to rain. Once taking the field, the starting offense used a 20-yard run by Donovan Johnson and a 20-yard reception by Joseph Inman from Mitch Allen to move into the red zone. Donovan Johnson capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run.
After PATs, Andrew Young caught a 15-yard pass from Mitch Allen. Zack Cole made the first big defensive play of the day with an interception, which was followed by a sack by Jeremy Holt. The defense continued to shine, with two sacks by Ameet Pall and an interception by Blake Wylie.
Following a punting session, Chris White ran for a first down. After a sack, Brody Hingst picked up a rushing first down and Kenny Barnes caught a first down pass. Michael Weimer ended the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The team then worked on kickoff return.
With Mitch Allen back in at quarterback, he found Montae Monroe open down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown reception. A few plays later, Allen hit Will Irwin with a 60-yard pass for a touchdown. Christian Reed and Kasey Redfern both worked on field goals, each making two PATs and hitting one-of-two from 40-yards.
On the next series of plays, Thomas Simmons had a first down catch and Donovan Johnson added a rushing first down. Following punt cover, the defense added a big play when Josh Roseborough picked up a fumble and returned it 30-yards for a touchdown.
Players held out of the scrimmage included TE Jamie Chappell, WR Rob Greene, RB Rickman Davis, RB Cody Burris, Brandon Kersnowki, Mike Nicklas, Bernard Williams, and DL Marcus Isom.
Sunday will be the first off day for the Terriers, with only meetings in the late afternoon and evening. Two-a-days continue on Monday, August 15. The 2011 season begins with a road trip on September 3 at Presbyterian College.
