FLORENCE -- The University of
North Alabama's first scrimmage of the fall
Saturday at Veteran's Park gave several
newcomers a chance to make themselves known
to the Lion coaching staff.
Ed Gant, a
junior college transfer at wide receiver,
had seven receptions for 90 yards. Freshman
receiver Charles McClain caught a 67-yard
touchdown pass from Dusty Goodwin. UNA
head coach Mark Hudspeth said it was a good
day for the Lions as they closed out their
first week of practice. “There was some
good and some bad,” Hudspeth said. “Our
No. 1’s were solid and we were able to
make some big plays. The defense was limited
playing without some key guys and they kept
things pretty simple. Our first offense
executed well, but the second offense has a
long way to go.”
Starting
quarterback A.J. Milwee, a Boaz native
who led UNA to an 11-1 record as a starter
in 2006, saw limited action in the
two-hourscrimmage. Milwee completed 9-of-15
passes for 45 yards, including a pair of
touchdowns in goal-line work. Backup
quarterback Dusty Goodwin of Demopolis
worked with both the first and second
teams. Goodwin was 17-of-30 passing for
206 yards with one touchdown and two
interceptions.
Senior Reggie
Hubbard aof Russellville added five
catches for 28 yards; Trey Gorman had three
receptions for 52 yards and Joemal
Campbell caught four passes for 24 yards.
“Ed Gant made several nice catches,
including one where he was out of
bounds but still made the catch,”
Hudspeth said. “Charles McClain also showed
that he has the speed to get up the field
for us. Reggie Hubbard, Trey Gorman and
Joemal Campbell also played well. We should
have good depth at wide receiver.”
McClain, a
5-8, 170-pound freshman from Oxford, showed
why he has a shot at cracking the playing
rotation at wide receiver. After taking in a
short pass from Goodwin he made a move on a
defender and outran the pursuit for the
67-yard scoring play.
The scrimmage
featured all situational plays and no
sustained drives, so McClain’s touchdown was
the only scoring until the Lions went to
goal-line work late. Campbell and Brandenn Pickett both
caught 3-yard touchdown passes from Milwee
and Nicholls State transfer Mike McClendon
later added a 30-yard touchdown run.
Hudspeth said he was pleased with the UNA
defense, which played without starting
defensive lineman Tim Hunt and Eric Denson
and starting linebacker Michael Johnson.
The Lions will take Sunday off and practice
twice Monday. UNA opens its season at home
against Tusculum on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.
