UTM at mid-point of grid work

The UT Martin football team used the halfway point in fall camp to suit up for its first live scrimmage Wednesday night at Hardy M. Graham Stadium.
“There were big plays on both sides of the ball; there were tackles for losses, and the offense broke through a few times,” UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said after the team’s performance.
“You can look at that as both a positive and a negative on both sides of the ball. We need our offense to be able to get out of the backfield on those plays, and our defense also needs to work on not giving up the big play after making consecutive tackles in the backfield. Overall, we need to work on our consistency.”
The team started their scrimmage working on the goal-line offense. Second-year senior Jason McNair made the first play of the night when he broke through the line and got into the secondary for a 17-yard gain, but the defense quickly recovered by getting two consecutive safeties.
The young backfield continued to impress as freshmen LaDevin Fair and Trent Garland had successful nights.
Fair, a former Obion Central standout, scored on a 35-yard scamper to the end zone, and Garland scored on two different occasions, one from 15 yards out and another from inside the 5.
Starting quarterback Derek Carr finished the night with 10 completions on 17 attempts. The first score of the night happened when Carr hit Corey Jordan over the middle. Jordan carried the ball 40 yards to the end zone.
Carr also connected with senior Quentin Sims on several occasions for big gains, one of which was a 40- yard fade route that Sims caught for a score.
The defense also made a couple of big plays of their own.
They managed to get in the backfield on two consecutive pass plays and force fumbles.
Fred Flenorl came up with an interception that had a chance to go all the way to the end zone.
EXTRA POINTS: The Detroit Lions were represented at football practice Wednesday night. The Skyhawks have now had eight NFL teams watch practice since Aug. 8.
 … Four defensive players, Thad Williams, Tanio Perez Fears, Ryan Isom and DJ Roberts, were wearing black jerseys Wednesday night at practice. The black jerseys represent stellar efforts. … Redshirt freshman corner back Marquis Clemmons went down Wednesday night. Preliminary reports indicate Clemmons has a sprained knee. Junior Malik Generett missed Wednesday night’s scrimmage because of a foot injury.

Published in The Messenger 8.17.12