Ole Miss scrimmaged inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday morning/early afternoon. It was, as I mentioned in another thread, a "thud" scrimmage, meaning players weren't being tackled to the ground and plays were basically stopped at contact. So while I'm sure there will be "stats" from Saturday's scrimmage, I'm not sure what exactly you could take from those stats.
I felt the offense basically controlled the scrimmage, though the defense had some moments. You could definitely tell one side of the ball has some continuity while the other is adjusting to something new. Again, six practices into a 15-practice spring with the season a full five-plus months away. There's time (and another turn in the transfer portal window).
Jaxson Dart took the first snaps with the No. 1 offense. Spencer Sanders also got some snaps with that unit and Walker Howard got a few with members of that group as well. Sanders and Howard took snaps with the backups. If Dart did, I didn't notice it.
Micah Pettus did not practice Saturday. He walked up and down the stands of the stadium for most of the session. I have no idea if he's injured or what. With Pettus, Jeremy James (shoulder rehab) and Jayden Williams (out for spring) out, the "starting offensive line" consisted of Victor Curne, Eli Acker, Caleb Warren, Quincy McGee and Cedric Melton. Quinshon Judkins was the starting running back. Caden Prieskorn lined up at tight end, with Chris Marshall, Jalen Knox and Michael Trigg Jr. all essentially starting as wide receivers.
On the third drive of the scrimmage, Judkins scored on a short TD run. The highlight of the drive was a really nice pass and catch from Dart to Trigg.
Howard's first possession ended with a a missed 47-yard field goal from Caden Costa. It appeared holder Charlie Pollack fumbled the snap a bit, messing up the timing.
On Sanders' first drive with the starters, he connected with JJ Henry on a 26-yard touchdown throw. Sanders had some moments, but there were also moments where it was obvious his throwing shoulder wasn't 100 percent. He gets out of the pocket quickly. He's athletic with his feet, but so are Dart and, at least to some extent, Howard.
Dart hit Henry on Ole Miss' next drive to set up another short Judkins TD run.
Sanders' next possession was one play -- an underthrown deep ball that was tipped and then intercepted by defensive back Torian Kelly.
Dart had the next drive, and it ended with a touchdown pass to Knox on a pretty throw into the end zone. Knox beat his man with what appeared to be a seam route.
Howard's next possession ended when he was intercepted on a deep throw by safety Taylor Groves, who made a diving catch.
A year ago, Trigg confounded coaches by lining up wrong and blowing assignments. It happened again Saturday, as he forced a timeout by lining up in the wrong place. Lane Kiffin was observing more than anything Saturday, but he was clearly exasperated a bit by Trigg's mistake. A play later, Sanders went to Trigg trying to convert on a fourth down, but Trey Washington broke up the play. The throw was good. Washington's defense was just better. He's had a strong couple of weeks.
Howard connected with Brandon Buckhaulter on a 23-yard touchdown pass on a fourth down. I couldn't tell if the play was called back or not. Some of the day was obviously scripted. Regardless, a couple of plays later, Caden Davis connected on a 42-yard field goal.
Braden Waterman got the No. 3 offense snaps at quarterback. It appeared his one drive ended in a touchdown, but again, there appeared to a script they were following regardless of whether the defense made a stop.
Observations:
I won't make many of these, as this simply wasn't a "true" scrimmage. I will say I continue to see improvement in Dart from last season. Maybe it's just comfort and confidence, but he's really in control. I also continue to be impressed by Howard. Whether he's "ready" now is debatable, I suppose, but he has a very bright future. Again, on Sanders, I don't know whether that's just who he is, but he's really quick out of the pocket. He does extend plays very well.
I continue to believe Ole Miss has to add depth to its defensive front-seven via the portal in May, but I was impressed with the play of linebacker Monty Montgomery Saturday. Other guys that caught my eye at times were defensive linemen Zxavian Harris, Jared Ivey and Washington. There are multiple guys out this spring, so it's difficult, if not impossible, to get a true gauge as to where the defense is.
I did notice there was a lot of teaching going on with defensive coordinator Pete Golding, even on little things like where guys go and sit when the defense comes off the field. Again, there's a lot of time between now and the Mercer game.
Juice Kiffin took the field after the players departed. What it must feel like to have the unbridled joy and energy of a young, well-fed, well-loved Labrador retriever.
Ole Miss returns to the practice field Tuesday. We'll hear from Kiffin (Lane, not Juice) following that practice.
I felt the offense basically controlled the scrimmage, though the defense had some moments. You could definitely tell one side of the ball has some continuity while the other is adjusting to something new. Again, six practices into a 15-practice spring with the season a full five-plus months away. There's time (and another turn in the transfer portal window).
Jaxson Dart took the first snaps with the No. 1 offense. Spencer Sanders also got some snaps with that unit and Walker Howard got a few with members of that group as well. Sanders and Howard took snaps with the backups. If Dart did, I didn't notice it.
Micah Pettus did not practice Saturday. He walked up and down the stands of the stadium for most of the session. I have no idea if he's injured or what. With Pettus, Jeremy James (shoulder rehab) and Jayden Williams (out for spring) out, the "starting offensive line" consisted of Victor Curne, Eli Acker, Caleb Warren, Quincy McGee and Cedric Melton. Quinshon Judkins was the starting running back. Caden Prieskorn lined up at tight end, with Chris Marshall, Jalen Knox and Michael Trigg Jr. all essentially starting as wide receivers.
On the third drive of the scrimmage, Judkins scored on a short TD run. The highlight of the drive was a really nice pass and catch from Dart to Trigg.
Howard's first possession ended with a a missed 47-yard field goal from Caden Costa. It appeared holder Charlie Pollack fumbled the snap a bit, messing up the timing.
On Sanders' first drive with the starters, he connected with JJ Henry on a 26-yard touchdown throw. Sanders had some moments, but there were also moments where it was obvious his throwing shoulder wasn't 100 percent. He gets out of the pocket quickly. He's athletic with his feet, but so are Dart and, at least to some extent, Howard.
Dart hit Henry on Ole Miss' next drive to set up another short Judkins TD run.
Sanders' next possession was one play -- an underthrown deep ball that was tipped and then intercepted by defensive back Torian Kelly.
Dart had the next drive, and it ended with a touchdown pass to Knox on a pretty throw into the end zone. Knox beat his man with what appeared to be a seam route.
Howard's next possession ended when he was intercepted on a deep throw by safety Taylor Groves, who made a diving catch.
A year ago, Trigg confounded coaches by lining up wrong and blowing assignments. It happened again Saturday, as he forced a timeout by lining up in the wrong place. Lane Kiffin was observing more than anything Saturday, but he was clearly exasperated a bit by Trigg's mistake. A play later, Sanders went to Trigg trying to convert on a fourth down, but Trey Washington broke up the play. The throw was good. Washington's defense was just better. He's had a strong couple of weeks.
Howard connected with Brandon Buckhaulter on a 23-yard touchdown pass on a fourth down. I couldn't tell if the play was called back or not. Some of the day was obviously scripted. Regardless, a couple of plays later, Caden Davis connected on a 42-yard field goal.
Braden Waterman got the No. 3 offense snaps at quarterback. It appeared his one drive ended in a touchdown, but again, there appeared to a script they were following regardless of whether the defense made a stop.
Observations:
I won't make many of these, as this simply wasn't a "true" scrimmage. I will say I continue to see improvement in Dart from last season. Maybe it's just comfort and confidence, but he's really in control. I also continue to be impressed by Howard. Whether he's "ready" now is debatable, I suppose, but he has a very bright future. Again, on Sanders, I don't know whether that's just who he is, but he's really quick out of the pocket. He does extend plays very well.
I continue to believe Ole Miss has to add depth to its defensive front-seven via the portal in May, but I was impressed with the play of linebacker Monty Montgomery Saturday. Other guys that caught my eye at times were defensive linemen Zxavian Harris, Jared Ivey and Washington. There are multiple guys out this spring, so it's difficult, if not impossible, to get a true gauge as to where the defense is.
I did notice there was a lot of teaching going on with defensive coordinator Pete Golding, even on little things like where guys go and sit when the defense comes off the field. Again, there's a lot of time between now and the Mercer game.
Juice Kiffin took the field after the players departed. What it must feel like to have the unbridled joy and energy of a young, well-fed, well-loved Labrador retriever.
Ole Miss returns to the practice field Tuesday. We'll hear from Kiffin (Lane, not Juice) following that practice.
