As Matt Schilz continues to get the majority of the first team quarterback reps during fall camp, the timing of BG's pass-heavy offense appears to be improving, but not enough to satisfy head coach Dave Clawson.
While Clawson stopped short of declaring Schilz the starter for the Sept. 4 opener at Troy, it appears that will be the scenario.
"If we played a game tomorrow, he (Schilz) would be our starting quarterback," Clawson said. "It would take something drastic to happen for him not to be."
Schilz threw three touchdown passes in the scrimmage, but the offense committed several turnovers, much to the disappointment of Clawson. Due to this, the offense stayed after practice to condition, while the defense was allowed to go back to the locker room.
"I wouldn't say the defense won (the scrimmage)," Clawson said. "We only condition when we do things to beat ourselves, and there was a lot of the on offense today.
"They just needed a gentle reminder."
Schilz's first touchdown pass came on a great catch by Kamar Jorden on a jump ball in the end zone.
He threw another to cap off a two-minute drill, and his third came on a slant to Shaun Joplin, who made several defenders miss after the catch to score.
The first part of the scrimmage was run like an actual game, with the first, second and third teams all getting reps.
When the first punting situation occurred, the team punted four times. The second punt was a fake, which gained big yards.
On the third punt, the snap sailed over Jerry Phillips, who then lackadaisically ran after the ball, which caused Clawson to chew him out. On the next play, Phillips' boomed a 50-plus yard punt.
The second part of the scrimmage was practicing situations, including the two-minute drill, and the offense running plays from their own one-yard line.
The offense scored on one of the two-minute drills, the one piloted by Schilz, but failed to score on the others.
On the first play run from the one-yard line, Erique Geiger broke off a 52-yard run.
The defense played exceptionally for the most part, causing multiple turnovers and recording several sacks.
Lane Robilotto stood out on defense, intercepting two passes.
Notes: Justice Jones and Tyrone Pronty were both held out of practice with what was called mild ankle injuries...Jordan Hopgood and Geiger, who are competing for the backup running back position behind Willie Geter, both played injured today, according to Clawson. Hopgood has a mild knee injury, while Geiger is also battling an ankle sprain.
