Kennesaw State’s offense rebounded from a rough start to make a few big plays in Saturday’s first scrimmage of the fall camp.
Quarterback Jake McKenzie had touchdown runs of 70 and 16 yards and running back Chaston Bennett added a 60-yard touchdown run. On defense, defensive back Marcus Thurman had two pass break-ups and defensive lineman Austin Byrd recovered the game’s only fumble for a touchdown.
“A lot we can learn from and build off of,” coach Brian Bohannon said.
McKenzie and Chandler Burks took the snaps at quarterback. Trey White (hamstring strain) sat out the practice. Bohannon said he is still the starter.
McKenzie’s long touchdown was the result of an outside option play. He said the coaches were telling him to cut up the field once he got past the edge, instead of continuing toward the sideline and running out of room. He finally cut inside the cornerback and finished the run.
“It’s funny how it works when you do what your coaches say,” the freshman from Monroeville, Ala. said.
His second touchdown was on a similar play, but run to the other side.
“He (Jake) did some really good things today,” Bohannon said.
After nine practices, Bohannon said he’s pleased with a few things: the team has drastically reduced its turnovers from what was occurring in the fall and spring practices when the offense was being installed, and they are cutting down on the mental mistakes.
Bohannon said if the first season is to be a success – it starts Sept. 3 at East Tennessee – then the team has to eliminate all of the mistakes that will result in them beating themselves.
Lastly, the team is starting to understand the offense and the necessity for everyone to execute their blocks.
“We are working to get all 11 on the same page,” Bohannon said. “It’s getting better.”
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