USU scrimmage observations

Utah State scrimmaged Saturday afternoon in front of former USU player and BYU coaching legend LaVell Edwards as well as about 100 high school juniors in nearly-ideal conditions.

The perfect weather saw the Aggies show distinct improvement from the previous scrimmage a week earlier.

The running back trio of Michael Smith, Derrvin Speight and Kerwynn Williams had a great day, combining for 152 yards on 33 carries. Speight scored three times and Williams hit the end zone twice. Smith spent much of the second half of the scrimmage on the sideline with ice on his ankle, but whatever injury he had is not considered serious.

Cornerback Chris Randle had a tremendous day. He picked off backup quarterback Jeff Fischer twice, returning one 40 yards for a touchdown.

One scary moment came late in the practice when receiver Dontel Watkins jumped to try and grab an overthrown ball. The pass sailed over his hands and to the sideline, but safety Walter McClenton undercut Watkins and sent him flipping heels over head and onto his back in a painful way. After being helped to the sideline, Watkins was looked at for several minutes by the USU training staff.

When the scrimmage was over, though, he jogged to midfield where he joined his team. Before that, though, McClenton rushed over to apologize for the hit and the two exchanged hugs.

Here’s a look at the stats:
Passing: Diondre Borel 13-17, 150, TD; Jeff Fischer 7-16, 90, 3 INT; Steve Vincent 1-2, 19; Team 0-1.

Rushing: Michael Smith 8-49, Derrvin Speight 12-44, 3TDs; Kerwynn Williams 11-59, 2TDs; Josh Flores 11-35; Jorey Hansen 4-6; Diondre Borel 10-4; Team 1-(-1); Stanley Morrison 2-(-2); Xavier Martin 1-(-5); Steve Vincent 1-(-7); Jeff Fischer 7-(-13).

Receiving: Matt Austin 4-79; Travis Reynolds 2-48; Eric Moats 4-31; Emmanual Ojeriakhi 3-23; Xavier Martin 1-28 TD; Dontel Watkins 1-15; Josh Flores 1-14; Austin Alder 2-13; Derrvin Speight 1-5; Stanley Morrison 2-3.

DEFENSE:

Tackles: Gavin Jones 6, Kyle Gallagher 6, Maxim Dinka Mba 6, Cache Morgan 5, Jerome Barbour 5, Devin Johnson 5, Connor Williams 4, Levi Koskan 4, Chris Harris 4, Cameron Sanders 4, Alfred Bowden 3, Quinn Garner 3, Joey Schrader 3, Reuben Willis 3, Chris Randle 3, Quinton Byrd 3, Four with two each, 7 with one each.

Sacks: Maxim Dinka Mba 2; Connor Williams 1; Quinn Garner 1; Kyle Gallagher 1; Cache Morgan 1; Junior Keiaho 1; Devin Johnson 1.

Interceptions: Chris Randle 2; Walter McClenton 1.

Pass Break-Up: Jerome Barbour 2; Jamaine Olson 1; Gavin Jones 1; Walter McClenton 1; Cameron Sanders 1; Quinton Byrd 1; Nick Vought 1.

Forced Fumble: Junior Keaiho, Nick Vought.

Fumble Recovery: Maxim Dinka Mba, Cache Morgan.

QB Hurry: Quinn Garner.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punts: Peter Caldwell 4-40.3 avg

Field Goals: Peter Caldwell 10-11, FG made: 32, 37, 39, 44, 44, 25, 32, 37, 47, 52 / FG missed: 37 wide right; Josh Thompson 2-3, FG Made: 30, 30 / FG missed: 30 off left upright

Kick returns: Kerwynn Williams 2-103; Dontel Watkins 1-18; Xavier Martin 1-14

Scoring:

Diondre Borel 2-yard run (Peter Caldwell kick), 14-play, 80-yards

Chris Randle 40-yard INT return (no kick)

Derrvin Speight 2-yard run (Caldwell kick), 5-25

Kerwynn Williams 1-yard run (Thompson kick), 5-25

Xavier Martin 28-yard pass from Borel (Caldwell kick), 3-25

Speight 1-yard run (Caldwell kick), 3-5

Williams 5-yard run (Caldwell kick), 1-5

Speight 13-yard run (Thompson kick), 2-10