Leopards' spring game: Cleaning out the notebook

The Lafayette College spring football game is history. I’m still uncertain what the fall has for me, but here are some random comments about the 2018 Leopards after watching them for only the second time.

I was looking for something new from the Lafayette offense, which has a new offensive coordinator-quarterbacks coach, John Van Dam, in place. There may have been a little bit more rollout in the passing game, and some of that paid dividends.

But things didn’t start out well. I was surprised to see Mike Dunn at tailback in the opening series, but since this was only my second time at practice, I wasn’t around to watch him challenge Selwyn Simpson for the job. The offense was 3-and-out in its first series; and after a false-start penalty and an intentional grounding penalty and a timeout call by the offense, it was a second straight 3-and-out.

The third series brought Nick Pearson into the game, and with a speed sweep, an end-around run and a pass completion from Sean O’Malley, Pearson finally gave the offense a lift. Angus Evans finished things off with a touchdown catch from O’Malley. The series also included a successful quick-pitch run by Simpson on a fourth-and-1. I liked that one. It also included a nice defensive play by Major Jordan, who batted down an O’Malley pass.

A fair catch was signaled on the ensuing kickoff, and we learned about a new rule for this year. A fair catch of a kickoff in the field of play puts the ball on the 25-yard line to start the series. Just another attempt at curbing some of the vicious hits on kickoffs. It’ll be interesting to see how many teams use this, and how often.

Cole Northrup worked the next three series at quarterback. The first consisted of two nice completions, then a C.J. Amill fumble recovered by Tre Jordan to end the series. The second series included a sack, a two-yard pass and a batted pass (Andrew Chuma); and the third series was an incomplete pass, a short gain on a pass and then a pass interception by Izaiah Avent.

O’Malley returned, threw for one first down before a Jerry Powe sack and a strange flare pass into the flat on a third-and-18 situation ended the series. Things were moving so slowly that Coach Garrett asked the scrimmage officials to allow the clock to run even on special-teams plays (punts). Another series ended when a third-and-12 running play came up way short of a first down.

A double reverse running play that gained only six yards was followed by perhaps O’Malley’s best completion of the day – a perfect out pattern to Jake Liedtka for a nice gain. The drive continued until, on the final play of the first half, O’Malley scrambled out of trouble and found Quinn Revere at the back of the end zone for a touchdown.

It was anything but textbook offense despite the two TDs. I’m going to spare everyone the details of the second half.

The offensive highlight was a nifty 36-yard run by rising sophomore J.J. Younger, who missed all of last season with an injury. He also happens to be from the same school as incoming quarterback Troy Fisher. It’ll be interesting to watch them work together. Defensive lineman Keith Earle chased down Younger all that way downfield. It was a never-give-up play that probably scored well with the coaching staff in their review.

Mike Lewis , the No. 3 quarterback, got just two series in the second half and threw just two passes, both complete. He was sacked once.

Demetrius Breedlove got the defense’s third pass knockdown, and Northrup finished the scrimmage with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Revere.

For the game, the offense wound up with 66 net rushing yards. Younger had 31, thanks to his one big burst. Pearson had 27 rushing yards and caught passes for another 57 yards on four receptions. I think Younger, who is a legitimate speedster, could become a contributor in the fall after he has had a full training camp to get him back into top football shape again.

Revere (6-1, 180) and Spigner (6-3, 195) made strong showings in their bid to fill holes left by the graduation of guys like Matt Mrazek, Dylan Wadsworth and Rocco Palumbo. Spigner didn’t get into a game last season but was named the scout team MVP. Revere got some special-teams time in 2017.

People were generally upbeat about the play of quarterback O’Malley. He avoided being intercepted, which is definitely an improvement after 15 of his passes last year wound up in the hands of opposing-team players. When he makes the right read, he can get the ball there, but I think he still has a long way to go in the decision-making process. Consistency is not his strong suit, for sure. 

The guys who got the most out of the spring game were the five new assistant coaches on Garrett’s staff. Running backs coach Kevin Callahan Jr. and wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood did lots of substituting to get a feel for who will be the team’s playmakers.

Pearson, who might have made a difference in last year’s Lehigh game if he had not been hurt in the first half after piling up 115 yards of offense, and Amill will be high on that list. Each had four catches Saturday.

The did-not-play list included three potential starters on the offensive line – Kevin Zataveski, who is one of the team captains, Taron Hampton and Colin Bradley. Also defensive keys Eric Mitchell and Ryan Barnett. Quarterback Reed Aichholz was operating the team video camera from high above the field; defensive lineman Tony Giudice, who is currently suspended from games by the NCAA but is permitted to practice, was not in uniform. There are others I didn’t notice, but because they may have played, I’m not listing them as absent.

The five ironmen of the offensive line -- John Burk, Gavin Barclay, Austin Pyne, Logan Grieser and Jake Marotti -- deserve some kind of special recognition for going the distance. They may not have dominated, but the fact that they got through without any further injuries was not lost on Coach Garrett.

"For the offensive line to battle like that with only five guys and to keep playing, it was a testament to them," Garrett said. Of the entire team, he added, "Some of the young guys came up with big plays. Sean continued to play well. Quinn Revere made some big plays and he’s developed well and put a lot of hard work into it. So, I was pleased with all aspects."

Garrett said that about 75 percent of the incoming freshmen players attended the game"It's a good group of guys. We can't wait until we get them on campus and start working with them." Four-week workout sessions will be held in June and July and "we'll have good attendance at both," Garrett said. "I'm pleased with the commitment to constant and continual improvement."

The coaches, after the spring debriefing is complete, will be hitting the road recruiting for the month of May. "May is such an important time for us," he added. "We need to continue to find talent because that's what we need to do to continue to get better."

I, perhaps more than anyone except for sports information director Phil LaBella, will be looking for some kind of a post-spring two-deep chart, and when I mentioned it to Garrett after the game, he said, "I don't make it up; the players do. We just go by what we see. There will be some competition at a lot of positions. Some young guys are stepping up and competing and pushing the older guys and the incoming class will do the same thing because it's a talented group. I'm excited to see the development." But he made no commitment to providing one anytime soon.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

 C.J. AMILL, A CAPTAIN – ON SPRING PRACTICE – “I think our team made great strides this spring. This time around, we’re more comfortable with the playbook and everything, so this was more working on our craft and our technique. We have some guys hurt on the offensive line, but I think we still did a good job moving the ball. I’m happy for what’s to come in the fall.” ON BEING A CAPTAIN – “It’s the biggest honor I’ve received up to date. I just like to lead by example and come out here and give 100 percent, so the fact that my teammates acknowledged that and they trust me to lead the team, it’s an honor.” ON MORE PRACTICE TO CLEAN UP TODAY’S PROBLEMS – “We still have some work to do, but the work we put in in three weeks was good enough. We still have some injuries, but once we’re 100 percent in The fall, we’ll be really good.”

JOEY CHENOWETH, MOST IMPROVED OFFENSIVE PLAYER – ON HIS PLAY – “Passion and emotion and enthusiasm is what they preach as a coaching staff. I wanted to do that all spring ball and show that football means everything to me. I’ve been playing since I was 8 years old, so it’s something that I love the game and I want to show it on the field with my hustle and energy and enthusiasm to play.” ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR SENIOR YEAR – “Absolutely, it’s been a long ride but it went by really fast, that’s for sure. As a senior, (I) and the whole senior class, we want to go out strong and give Lafayette positive direction from here on out.” ON MORE PRACTICE TO CLEAN UP MISTAKES – “I think we’re going to learn from this, watch it on film. We’re going to get better. We have a long time until the season. Work hard when we’re home, or at summer ball in  June or July. We have to make sure we’re on it as a team and as a unit and get better every day.”

JERRY POWE, A CAPTAIN – ON SPRING PRACTICE – “Last one, I feel great. The defense and offense look better. It’s year 2 with the (system) and everyone is comfortable and familiar with the plays and everyone is finding their spot and everything is starting to mesh.” ON CAPTAINCY – “This is an honor my teammates chose me to represent them, so I’m going to do my best to lead them. It means a lot for me to think they think I can be a leader, and it’s very important for me.” ON THE DEFENSE – “We lost a couple good seniors, but the guys here are picking up the slack. People are coming into roles they might not have had last year. Lots of roles are being filled by players who didn’t play as much, but we’re going to be good. We’re going to be the same defense.”

TRENT CROSSAN, A CAPTAIN – ON CAPTAINCY – “I’ve been working hard, trying to lead by example and do the right thing. It’s definitely a great honor that my teammates respect that. I couldn’t be more excited. I got an opportunity (last season) and I took advantage of it. I tried to do what I could. Offseason, I lead by example, come in working hard and with a great attitude, and that’s all I can do.” ON MORE PRACTICE TO CLEAN UP MISTAKES – “You always want to be practicing and working on your craft, but the break is good. We’ll get back this summer. I have an internship and we’re working on a schedule. I’m going to enjoy these next few weeks, now that this is over. Then I’ll get ready for August.”

TRE JORDAN, MOST IMPROVED DEFENSIVE PLAYER – ON MOVING FROM QB TO DB – “I enjoy it. It’s a challenge. I had to learn quarterback, and now I had to learn DB. I had the opportunity and I think I can. I have a great coach in coach (Doug) McFadden and a great defensive coordinator in coach (Luke) Thompson and they always put me in the right place and give me the right techniques and coaching to help me make plays.” ON PHYSICAL CONDITION – “I’m real healthy. I’ve been injured like forever. Both shoulders done, labrum surgeries, one in my senior year of high school and one in my freshman year of college. Then last year, I got a concussion the middle of the season. Been safe so far, injury free, knock on wood.” ON MORE PRACTICE TO FIX PROBLEMS – “I’m going to miss football. I wish I had a few more weeks to play because playing football gives you time to get your mind off things. We all love this game. But the break, I’m going to enjoy the break. Go to school, exams. I can’t believe you reminded me of those.”