BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State scrimmaged for two hours and the better part of a 120 plays on Saturday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Just like most early scrimmages in every fall camp, the defense was just a step ahead of the offense.
The Mountaineers' first team defense slowed the offense for the better part of the first hour before things started to balance out. Freshman corner Clifton Duck (Matthews, N.C.) intercepted quarterback Taylor Lamb (Calhoun, Ga.) on the opening drive to highlight the first few drives for the starters.
App State head coach Scott Satterfield gave the defense credit for setting the tone early.
“The defense came out and did a lot of good things,” Satterfield said. “They were in the right spots and flying to the ball. We were a little lethargic on offense and had a bunch of (missed assignments). One of the great things about a scrimmage like this is you run close to 120 plays and you get a lot of tape on guys and can really go over it thoroughly.”
With a handful of key players in red jerseys, the defense certainly had an advantage in holding the offense to a couple of early three-and-outs. Lamb had running room a time or two, but was touched down and running back Marcus Cox (Dacula, Ga.) wore a red jersey to avoid any unnecessary wear-and-tear on the three-time 1,000-yard back.
Dezmin Reed (Atlanta, Ga.) had an early sack to end the third drive and freshman linebacker Jordan Fehr (Charlotte, N.C.) had a sack and a tackle-for-loss to spark the defense.
With an entire roster seeing snaps and playing time, play was choppy at times, but Satterfield knows that will change as the reps become less balanced. He also expects to see some of the biggest improvements of camp between today's action and Thursday's scrimmage.
“I would think we'll be much improved,” Satterfield responded. “As a coaching staff, we can start zeroing in on guys who can make plays and the guys who will be on the two-deep. Right now, its pretty much everybody getting reps so it can be hard to tell who's making plays. As we start to change that, I think you'll see a lot of improvement between now and (Thursday's scrimmage).”
The offense started to find its stride in the passing game in the second half of the scrimmage. Lamb found Ike Lewis (Simpsonville, S.C.) for a 52-yard touchdown against the first team defense and also hit freshman Mock Adams (Greenwood, S.C.) for a 17-yard score during red zone work.
Safety Austin Exford had a stop for a safety in situational work for a group that didn't give up much on the day. The defensive secondary caught Satterfield's eye early, led by Duck's interception on the first series.
“I think (Clifton) Duck is one of the young guys stepping up,” Satterfield added. “He had a pick at start of the scrimmage and is doing a lot of things we asked him to do when we recruited him. The other guys, starters on defense, in the secondary played well just looking at it initially.”
Senior punter Bentlee Critcher (S. Daytona, Fla.) looked sharp, booming back-to-back punts of over 50 yards with good hang time.
“Today he was killing it,” Satterfield said of his senior punter. “He hit a couple of longs ones early, then we go pooch punt and he kills it inside the five. He also had a kicked a few off way into the end zone. He's just got to be consistent and, if he is, he'll be a weapon for us.”
Appalachian will practice briefly on Sunday morning before adjusting to their class schedule on Monday with a 4:30 p.m. practice. Classes begin Tuesday on campus.
