Aggies near conclusion of spring ball
The Utah State football team is entering its final week of spring football. The team held its final public scrimmage on April 4, about a week before the spring game.
Five plays into the scrimmage, the offense showed some trickery. Junior receiver Bruce Natson took the ball to the sideline and launched a long touchdown pass. On the receiving end of the pass was junior receiver Brandon Swindall. Swindall proved to be a bright spot for the first-team offense as he pulled down multiple passes throughout the scrimmage.
“He’s played a lot in the last two years, and it’s time for him to step up and be that guy,” said head coach Matt Wells about Swindall. “As a receiver, we’ve talked to him a lot in the last couple of days about just playing at a high level very consistently.”
Swindall’s performance was noticed by his quarterback as well.
“He’s done a really nice job,” said sophomore quarterback Darell Garretson. “I think he’s really jumped out as being a guy I go to. He’s done really well, too.”
That was the only touchdown of the scrimmage for the first-team offense, though they did execute the two-minute drill well, driving down the field and converting on field goal.
“They did a nice job and executed the two-minute drill at the end, so that was really good to see,” Wells said. “They protected and threw the ball well and caught the ball well. Again, I thought there were some bright spots on offense.”
With Kevin Whimpey being the only returning starter on the offensive line, most of the positions on the line are being competed for.
“The centers, Joe (Summers) and Austin (Stephens), have had their moments of really good, looks-like-college centers, and sometimes they look like junior high centers,” Wells said. “I’m proud of the two guards. I think Taani (Fisilau) and Bill Vavau continue to make good strides. Jake Simonich had a really good week of practice. Kevin (Whimpey) continues to be a good leader. I’m happy with those guys. We’re going to be alright up front.”
The defense also impressed in the scrimmage. The secondary came together and made things difficult for the passing game. Wells gave much of the credit to to sophomore transfer corner Daniel Gray and senior corner Rashard Stewart. He also gave credit to a newcomer in the secondary.
“Devin Centers has played very well. I’m proud of Devin. He’s played everything from corner to safety to nickel to dime,” Wells said. “So Devin has done a nice job. He’ll play next year.”
The first-team defense held the first-team offense scoreless in the red-zone drill, with junior linebacker Kyler Fackrell recording a sack on third down.
Freshman wide receiver Damoun Patterson had an impressive performance. He saw playing time in the second- and third-team offense. He caught a handful of passes, including two touchdowns.
“I’m proud of the way that our players for the way that they practice against each other,” Wells said. “We know how to compete. We know how to go hard, and it’ll make us a better team.”
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Twitter: @dahdahUSU