Team News - 2014 Second Scrimmage Report

The depth issue that was feared in the season preview was on full display in the Golden Rams' final scrimmage of the summer. Even though there were several players not dressed, the play should have been cleaner. Absent from the field of play were Erick Brundidge, A.J. DePietro, Shannon Mayer, Jim Hurley, Ralph Reeves and Cory Scott. Although the offense moved the ball fairly well, they were hampered by penalties and a fumble. And there was a mishandled snap on a PAT attempt. And even though the miscues may have been made by players not expected to start, those guys are one injury away from being "the" guy. Some observations:

• R-Fr Jarel Elder showed his speed throughout the session with the most notable play being a leaping grab over the middle followed by separation from the defensive secondary.
• Freshman Ch'aim Smith will likely be redshirted this season, but he demonstrated that he's 6'4" multiple times.
• With the influx of defensive backs, John McGilligan was playing wide receiver before suffering an apparent shoulder injury.
• Freshman Mike Class showed that he's a between-the-tackles kind of running back.
• The biggest offensive play of the day was a long completion from Alec Werner to Marcus Sydnor
• Besides showing his quickness around the corner, on one play, running back Eddie Elliott bounced off a group of tacklers in the backfield and turned it into a gain.
• The crowd erupted when transfer wide receiver Dion Shaw made a catch off the back of cornerback Ted Patton.

The offensive line maintains the pocket (Photo Ray Doyle)

Brandon Monk provides the lead block for Eddie Elliott (Photo Ray Doyle)

Rich Bruno kicks a field goal out of the hold of Mike Doty (Photo Geoff Ruth)