SAVANNAH, Ga. -- With most of the first-team players getting a rest in the final football scrimmage of the preseason, Savannah State University's reserves looked to cash in on their rare opportunities in the spotlight Saturday morning.

"I'm just trying to earn my spot on the bus," said Tigers' true freshman defensive end Xavier Esquillen about hoping to make the travel squad to Lakeland, Fla., for the season opener against Southeastern University on Sept. 2.

Esquillen registered two tackles for losses and a quarterback sack as the defense got the better of the offense for the second straight week.

SSU's starting quarterback Jadon Adams did not play. Backup quarterbacks Christian Burks, Austin Williams and Garvin Douglas combined to complete 8-of-18 passes for 53 yards.

"I already know what Jadon can do. He's been in games," Tigers head coach Aaron Kelton said. "I don't know what some of these other guys can do. They haven't been in game situations in college. It's just about us building depth, seeing who we can lean on if they have to go in the game."

Esquillen and his defensive teammates might have been humming Bill Withers' 1970s hit song "Lean On Me" during the two-hour workout. 

The unit surrendered just 126 total yards on 52 plays and registered six tackles for losses. The offense didn't pick up its first first down until its fourth series.

Midway through the scrimmage, Esquillen sacked Burks for a 9-yard loss and later slipped into the passing lanes to pull down wide receiver Aaron Roberts behind the line of scrimmage.

"I'm just using the scrimmage to get better and show the coaches what I can do and what I'm made of," Esquillen said. "There's always room for improvement."

Esquillen displayed similar production at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, N.C., last season. As a senior, he recorded 62 tackles, 11.5 sacks (12 tackles for losses) with four interceptions and four caused fumbles.

"He's a young guy who's picking up what we're trying to do," Kelton said. "He'll keep growing and growing and getting better."

Sophomore lineman Ameer Phillips also had two tackles for losses. Defensive back Devon Beckford, a transfer from North Carolina Central, had an interception. 

Running back Zyaire Williams was one of the offensive bright spots. The junior college transfer from Louisburg College had a team-leading 28 yards and the day's only touchdown (a 2-yard run) on seven rushes.

Williams, who was Louisburg College's leading rusher last season with 211 yards, will be fighting for playing time behind Shamarcus Poole.

"I'm just trying to be patient and show I know what to do while uplifting the people around me," said Williams about his path to playing time. "That's what it's all about, competing and showing you know what to do. When you do that, most of the time you're going to be successful."

With just a week left before kicking off the season, Kelton said the scrimmage tape will be scrutinized thoroughly. He didn't name a backup to Adams.

"All the quarterbacks are still in the mix. Every week, they'll be fighting for reps to be the No. 2 guy," Kelton said.

"Overall, I thought the guys were trying to fly around to the ball and show up. When you show up on the tape, I have to look at you a little more. … It's really about getting ready for Southeastern so we can put in a good game plan and we can go win a football game."