Defense shines in ISU football scrimmage

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There have been spring football games/scrimmages at Indiana State in the past when dominance by the team's defense wasn't necessarily a good sign.

Saturday's scrimmage at Memorial Stadium — strictly offense vs. defense — didn't seem like that.

Yes, the defense dominated, physically and vocally. The hitting was fierce and so were the celebrations.

"The defense did some really good things," were coach Curt Mallory's first words to a reporter afterward.

But there has also been plenty of talk about the Sycamore offense, with a highly touted recruit challenging returning starter Elijah Owens at the quarterback spot, and although Owens, newcomer Brady Allen and Brock Riddle were probably appreciative of wearing black, "no contact" jerseys, they all did some promising things too.

Owens had the day's longest completion, a 35-yard throw to B.J. Wuest that put the offense deep in the defense's territory. Two plays later that pair nearly combined for a touchdown, but a pass interference penalty set the offense up at the 2-yard line.

Then came a penalty, a sack, a short completion and third-and-goal from the 10. Running back Aaron Ball, a transfer from Illinois, ran a sweep to the left for the second time in the scrimmage, and for the second time the defense buried him for a loss. There may have been a fumble, but there was definitely a short altercation as Ball vented his frustration.

"You never want that," Mallory said later. "You've got to stay in the moment, not get upset."

Riddle had a 16-yard run for a first down in his final set of plays, and then Allen directed the only scoring drive of the day which included a 16-yard completion to Wuest, an 18-yard pass to running back Zechariah Prince and a 14-yard touchdown pass to running back Max McCool on the only play that fooled the defense all day.

Still a good afternoon for a defensive unit that has quite a bit of Wabash Valley to it. Alex Rose and Nic Yatsko of Terre Haute South and Braxton Sampson of Northview are returning starters, and when Yatsko was unavailable Saturday because of a minor injury he was replaced by Terre Haute North's Jaden Wayt, who has switched from wide receiver to safety.

"It was a good time, a great time," said Rose after the game. "Coach Mo [defensive coordinator Steve Morrison] brings that level of enthusiasm — really all the coaches do — and we're just trying to match it."

Asked about the skirmish near the goal line, the former Brave reasoned, "When there's chippiness, that means there's a lot of will … and we've got a bunch of fighters."

Mallory again emphasized the importance of the upcoming summer program that starts in June.

"This is the first year we've been able to do that, and we're really excited about it … it's been a good spring but there's still a long way to go, and that's why the summer is so important."

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