Football | 4/12/2019 2:33:00 PM
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- A downpour made an unwanted entrance at T.A. Wright Stadium midway through Savannah State University's first spring football scrimmage Friday morning.
Injuries to several players and a sprained ankle to an official kept Tiger trainers busy.
SSU coach Shawn Quinn wanted to see between 120-150 plays, but had to settle on about 90 as a planned two-hour workout went about 75 minutes.
But you won't find Quinn complaining. Eight practices into the spring, things in the program are looking up even when rain is coming from the clouds.
"To get to do a full spring is huge. We have so far to go. ... It was good to get out here and get some live work in," said Quinn, who has been installing an option offense with hopes of using the ball-control attack to dictate tempo and flow and enthusiasm in 2019.
Extra practice time in the spring -- the first time SSU has had spring ball since 2017 -- can only help.
Quinn, who was promoted to head coach on March 7, liked the way his veteran quarterback D'Vonn Gibbons, a rising junior, ran the offense during the scrimmage. Gibbons was one of four quarterbacks getting snaps during Friday's scrimmage.
"I thought D'Vonn did a good job with the first group," Quinn said. "We still have to speed up our operation, but just as far as running the offense, I thought they made some nice plays."
Running back D'Angelo Durham, a red-shirt freshman, showed glimpses of his promise, producing the day's lone touchdown on a 12-yard run with the first teamers.
Durham, Jaylen McCloud and CJ Cole -- fullbacks who dub themselves "The Bash Brothers" -- have been bright spots in camp.
Another running back, Gabe Walker, a transfer from The Citadel, has been pushing for playing time as well.
"(The offense) from where it was on Day 1 to now is light years. From where I want it to be is (another) light years (away)," Quinn said.
It didn't take light years before the Tigers made some big plays on special teams and offense. Punter Giovanni Lugo unleashed a 60-yard punt to completely flip field position early in the scrimmage. Lugo, a former high school quarterback, also made the first big play on offense, throwing a third-down strike to Walker for a first down as the offense started inside its 20-yard line.
Penalties wiped out a couple of other notable plays, but the talent to make those plays was evident. Returning wideout Czar Beneby, a 6-foot-5 junior, hauled in a pass of about 40 yards by outjumping a defensive back. On special teams, Ny'em Bozeman blocked a 45-yard field-goal attempt and Michael O'Neal scooped and scored for the apparent touchdown.
Quinn said the defensive play wasn't as good Friday, but its been excellent during the last two weeks.
Conversely, the kicking game, which has struggled, showed improvement.
On the last play of the day, Lugo's 39-yard field goal split the uprights, making it possibly the biggest play of the day for his teammates. It meant there would be no post-practice running for the players.
"There were some good things and some bad," Quinn said. "I'm sure the film will reveal the good and the bad."
SSU's spring practice will continue Monday morning. The team will conduct its second scrimmage on April 19.
The Orange and Blue Spring Game, which concludes the 15 practices allowed by the NCAA, will be held April 26 at 6 p.m.
The Tigers open the 2019 season on Sept. 7 against Florida Tech.
