Flames Practice Recap: Saturday (Aug. 13)
8/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
In-Practice Video Highlights
Video Provided by the Flames Sports Network
(via the FSN Twitter Page)
The Flames wrapped up "Phase One" of training camp on Saturday, holding their second scrimmage-oriented practice of August during a two-hour afternoon workout.
The Flames ran 90-plus plays during two different scrimmaging segments under nearly ideal weather conditions. Head coach Danny Rocco's theme during the afternoon was testing his team on third-down situations.
Before a special teams punting section, the Flames' first and second team units took turns trying to pick up a new set of downs on third-down plays, ranging from third-and-four to third-and-nine yardage situations.
Liberty's blue-clad defenders dominated the opening section, keeping the Flames offense from picking up a fresh set of downs on eight of 11 drill sets.
During this segment, Liberty's first-team offense gained a first down twice, both on screen passes from Walter Payton Award candidate Mike Brown. The first was on a screen pass to senior wide receiver B.J. Hayes and the second was a slanting pass to redshirt sophomore Chase Barnett.
The last first down gained by Liberty's offensive unit came by the second team, when redshirt junior quarterback Tyler Brennan got flushed from the pocket and floated a ball over the middle of the field for 20 yards to rookie tight end Dominique Davis.
Following a short break and a second punting unit, Liberty returned to third-down drills. This go around, the white-jerseyed Flames had much more success, picking up a new set of downs on 12 out of 20 attempts.
Liberty's quarterbacks finished the day with solid numbers. Brown led the squad by completing 18-of-29 passing attempts, followed by a 7-of-13 effort from Brennan. The top two wide receiver options for the Flames on the day were Hayes (seven receptions) and Ervin Garner (four receptions).
Brennan and Brown were Liberty's leading ball carriers as well on the day, as the quarterbacks quite often were forced to tuck the ball and run when no downfield options presented themselves during the third-down drills. Brennan carried the ball seven times, followed by six rushing attempts from Brown.
Aldreakis Allen led Liberty's running backs, as he was called upon to carry the ball five times. Korrey Davis and Desmond Rice followed with four rushing attempts each.
The defensive highlight of the day belonged to redshirt freshman Jacob Hagen on a deep ball thrown downfield to Garner. Brown tried to find Garner open on a trick play, but Hagen was able to get between Garner and the ball, while pulling the pass to his chest as he fell to the ground for the lone interception of the afternoon.
Several players recorded "sacks" on the day that forced Liberty's coaches to whistle plays dead. Defensive lineman Cory Freeman led the way with two, followed by "tackles" behind the line of scrimmage by Marques Jenkins, Justin Gunn and Bobby Partilla.
Following a grueling 10-day stretch, the Flames will have their first day off of August Training Camp on Sunday. Liberty will begin "Phase Two" of training camp on Monday, when the Flames return to the practice field for an afternoon workout from 2:20 to 5 p.m.
FSN In-Practice Video Highlights:
