Defense takes three of four challenges to win Black & Gold Spring Game
4/25/2019 8:28:00 PM | Football
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - J.C. Morgan's first Black & Gold Spring Game as Millersville football's head coach resulted in the defense winning three of the four challenges.
While the defense won 3-1, the offense had its moments. With Collin Shank on the mend, Dan Yokemick took the bulk of the snaps at quarterback. He threw four touchdown passes before halftime. Joey Farley was also a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, hitting two from 47 yards and one from 42. The defensive highlights included a pair of interceptions by newcomer Tyler Patron--one of which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown during the first challenge.
"I just wanted the players to come out and do what they've been doing all spring long which is work hard and compete," said Morgan. "They've done a great job during these 15 practices but they have also done a great job in the weight room, a great job in the conditioning and a great job in the classroom. I wanted them to come out here and have some fun tonight and let this build some momentum going into the summer."
The first challenge--won by the offense--awarded points to the offense for first downs, scoring plays and plays of 20 or more yards. The defense earned points with stops, fourth down stops, turnovers and defensive touchdowns. Despite Patron's TD return, the offense won 21-18, getting a two-point conversion for the tiebreaker on the final possession. On the fourth series, Yokemick hooked up with redshirt freshman Mekhi Alexander for a 67-yard touchdown.
The defense picked up its first point in the Red Zone challenge. With the ball set at the 20-yard line to start each drive, the offense had to score 20 points to pick up the challenge victory. The offense came up just short with 18 points. Farley booted two field goals. Yokemick connected with newcomer Tyler Bishop from two yards out for a touchdown and on the final drive, Kevon Newerls made a leaping 20-yard touchdown catch just inside the right corner of the end zone. The defense, however, stopped the two-point conversion needed for the challenge win.
The second half started with the Fourth Down Challenge. Twelve plays were run--all in fourth down situations. The defense got a stop on nine snaps for the win. The final challenge was the best-of-three Two-Minute Drill. The defense forced a three-and-out on the first series. Yokemick drove the offense to the two yard line on the second series, but Patron stepped in front of a pass in the back of the end zone to clinch the 3-1 win for the defense.
Morgan's team had just 40 returners after graduating a sizable senior class and added 14 transfers at the start of the semester. Morgan was pleased with the progress made by the group.
"It has been great to see these guys grow and improve together," said Morgan. "To see a lot of guys make strides in all facets has been a lot of fun. The coaches have worked hard with them, strength coach (Kyle) Regensburg has worked hard with them, and our trainer Heather Wolfe coming in and joining us, she has done a tremendous job. We are starting to see the pay off."
At halftime, the team announced its team captains for 2019: Senesee Jalloh, Zac Button, Cameron Boykin, Collin Shank, Evan Morrill and Lucas Bush. The coaching staff recognized Matthew Tobias and Steve Sweeney with the Most Improved Marauder Award. Morgan's recruiting class joined the team, stepping on to Chryst Field for the first time.
"I always love when we get the recruiting class together because it's a culmination of all the hard work through the last 11 months," said Morgan. "It has been a year-round process so to get everyone together for the first time is really nice. It gives [the incoming class] an experience and they get to interact with the current players. It allows the current players to show them the way--what it's going to take. Remind them to work hard and be ready for camp."
Millersville's 2019 season opens on the road at Pace on Sept. 6.
While the defense won 3-1, the offense had its moments. With Collin Shank on the mend, Dan Yokemick took the bulk of the snaps at quarterback. He threw four touchdown passes before halftime. Joey Farley was also a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, hitting two from 47 yards and one from 42. The defensive highlights included a pair of interceptions by newcomer Tyler Patron--one of which he returned 45 yards for a touchdown during the first challenge.
"I just wanted the players to come out and do what they've been doing all spring long which is work hard and compete," said Morgan. "They've done a great job during these 15 practices but they have also done a great job in the weight room, a great job in the conditioning and a great job in the classroom. I wanted them to come out here and have some fun tonight and let this build some momentum going into the summer."
The first challenge--won by the offense--awarded points to the offense for first downs, scoring plays and plays of 20 or more yards. The defense earned points with stops, fourth down stops, turnovers and defensive touchdowns. Despite Patron's TD return, the offense won 21-18, getting a two-point conversion for the tiebreaker on the final possession. On the fourth series, Yokemick hooked up with redshirt freshman Mekhi Alexander for a 67-yard touchdown.
The defense picked up its first point in the Red Zone challenge. With the ball set at the 20-yard line to start each drive, the offense had to score 20 points to pick up the challenge victory. The offense came up just short with 18 points. Farley booted two field goals. Yokemick connected with newcomer Tyler Bishop from two yards out for a touchdown and on the final drive, Kevon Newerls made a leaping 20-yard touchdown catch just inside the right corner of the end zone. The defense, however, stopped the two-point conversion needed for the challenge win.
The second half started with the Fourth Down Challenge. Twelve plays were run--all in fourth down situations. The defense got a stop on nine snaps for the win. The final challenge was the best-of-three Two-Minute Drill. The defense forced a three-and-out on the first series. Yokemick drove the offense to the two yard line on the second series, but Patron stepped in front of a pass in the back of the end zone to clinch the 3-1 win for the defense.
Morgan's team had just 40 returners after graduating a sizable senior class and added 14 transfers at the start of the semester. Morgan was pleased with the progress made by the group.
"It has been great to see these guys grow and improve together," said Morgan. "To see a lot of guys make strides in all facets has been a lot of fun. The coaches have worked hard with them, strength coach (Kyle) Regensburg has worked hard with them, and our trainer Heather Wolfe coming in and joining us, she has done a tremendous job. We are starting to see the pay off."
At halftime, the team announced its team captains for 2019: Senesee Jalloh, Zac Button, Cameron Boykin, Collin Shank, Evan Morrill and Lucas Bush. The coaching staff recognized Matthew Tobias and Steve Sweeney with the Most Improved Marauder Award. Morgan's recruiting class joined the team, stepping on to Chryst Field for the first time.
"I always love when we get the recruiting class together because it's a culmination of all the hard work through the last 11 months," said Morgan. "It has been a year-round process so to get everyone together for the first time is really nice. It gives [the incoming class] an experience and they get to interact with the current players. It allows the current players to show them the way--what it's going to take. Remind them to work hard and be ready for camp."
Millersville's 2019 season opens on the road at Pace on Sept. 6.
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