Football | 8/19/2017 7:31:00 PM

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- If only Savannah State University football coach Erik Raeburn could fast forward his team into the future.

"We're definitely not where we want to be, but are we encouraged where we're at with all the freshmen and sophomores," said Raeburn after a two-hour scrimmage Saturday afternoon at T.A. Wright Stadium. "When we think about it from that standpoint, we feel pretty good."

Sophomore quarterback TJ Bell ran 18 yards for a touchdown, and freshman backup D'Vonn Gibbons make a perfect throw to Monroe Thornton for a 50-yard score.

Freshman wide receiver Ronnie Stevens hauled in a 40-yard pass from Bell, and junior Uriah Oliver and sophomore Octavious James used their quickness and elusiveness to make plays in the run game.

Bell, a dual-threat run-pass quarterback, continues to make strides. He played a big role in all three Tiger wins last season.

"I've been so happy with him all camp," Raeburn said. "It helps you so much when your quarterback has confidence and knows what he's doing and knows how to execute the offense."

On special teams, kickers Giovanni Lugo and Troy University transfer Chandler Williams put on a show during one segment of the scrimmage, making all of the their field-goal attempts until both missed from 50 yards out.

Raeburn said Lugo, who is also a reserve quarterback, has a slight edge for the starting kicking job.

SSU's team speed, something Raeburn addressed during recruiting, was also evident.

"If you weren't a lineman, we recruited guys who we thought were fast for their position," said Raeburn, who used 26 scholarships to bring in 34 recruits in February.

Raeburn expects the offense to have more success as the offensive line grows and matures.

Saturday afternoon, three freshmen (Christian "Zai" Pennington, Michael Johnson and Harvey King), a sophomore (T.J. Jackson) and a junior (James Livingston) trotted out with the first teamers as the starting offensive line.

"We'd love to have all these guys we have and it's two years from now," Raeburn said. "I told our coaches, you have to think, 'What did TJ (Bell) look like this time last year?

"Are the (young linemen) making mistakes? Sure. But are we more talented? I think so."

For most of the afternoon, the Tigers defense played well and got the better of the offense.

"Hats off to the defense. I don't think the offense was locked in to start," Bell said. "No worries. We have time to improve and get things right."

For preseason third-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference defensive end Stefen Banks, big plays were positive signs for the defense.

"We played fast and we played as a team," said Banks, who registered 17.5 tackles for losses and 7.5 sacks last season. "We have a lot of chemistry. This defense has really improved from last year."

Banks said returnees Brandon Carswell and Kevhan Bent have stepped up on the inside of the line. Mulik Simmons leads the linebackers and Darrell "Vanquez" Bonner heads the secondary.

During the scrimmage, reserve defensive back Roddre Hardwick pulled down an interception.

The scrimmage marked SSU's 15th practice. Raeburn said many starting positions remain up in the air.

"We're not anywhere close to having all 22 guys slated in on the depth chart yet," he said.

The Tigers return to practice Monday at 8 a.m. They have their second scrimmage Saturday (Aug. 19).