Big plays highlight second VMI football spring scrimmage

Rain did not dampen the spirits and intensity of VMI Football’s second spring scrimmage held Saturday afternoon.

Rising redshirt sophomore quarterback Al Cobb completed eight of 17 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns to spark the offense in the scrimmage moved to Fiorini Field -the Keydets’ all-weather practice facility turf adjacent to Foster Stadium.

Cobb and junior wide receiver Aaron Sanders produced the biggest scoring play of the day on a 47-yard touchdown strike in the sixth offensive possession of the scrimmage. Following a five-yard sack by linebacker Chris Copeland, Cobb rebounded by firing a 19-yard bullet to junior wide receiver Dane Forlines to the 47.  One play later, Cobb floated a ball that was nabbed over defenders by a leaping Sanders who raced to the end zone for the first score of the day capping a four-play, 65 yard drive.

Cobb later connected on a 16-yard crossing pattern in the end zone to junior Darrian Johnson that was converted on a fourth-and-eight play during a red zone offensive possession.

Sanders led all receivers with four catches for 77 yards and his touchdown reception. Johnson snared four passes for 39 yards including his TD catch.

The scrimmage did not have the services of two of the top running backs as senior Derrick Ziglar was attending his sister’s wedding and redshirt freshman Brice Tucker (sprained foot) was held out because of injury. Stepping up was redshirt sophomore Cody Shirley who carried six times for 29 yards and a touchdown and redshirt freshman Hunter Marshall who led all ground gainers with seven carries for 38 yards and a 7-yard touchdown burst that eluded three tacklers along the way.

“Overall, both sides competed well.” said head coach Scott Wachenheim. “ I think the defense was flying around and putting some pressure on the quarterback with predetermined blitzes today. But we made some big plays on offense as well, so both sides are competing. It was great to get the special teams out there and get a few kicks in all phases of kicking.”

Junior Dillon Christopher converted field goals of 34 and 35 yards and punter Hayden Alford averaged 43.3 yards per punt with a long of 49 yards.

The biggest hit of the day came from outside linebacker Tony Richardson who delivered a jarring hit for a two-yard tackle-for-loss during the second offensive series. Other top defensive play came from redshirt freshman outside linebacker Brian Lipscomb who had both a sack and tackle-for-loss.

VMI concludes spring drills Friday May 1, with a scrimmage based on specified scenarios beginning at 6 p.m.

“Finishing strong will be the focus this week,” said Wachenheim. “Friday night’s scrimmage with be a four-minute drill and a two-minute drill. We’ve already incorporated that in our practicing. We want to take the little things of each play and try to fine tune it a little bit. No more install. I think we’ve moved along in the kicking game and we’ve gotten good quality work in all the areas.”