ARCATA — Time is short for Coach Rob Smith and his Lumberjacks, who will play their final football scrimmage Saturday in preparation for the Sept. 4 season-opener against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. And according to Smith, there is still a lot to accomplish before the Jacks clash pads with the Mustangs.
"This fall has been different than any other I've experienced," Smith said. "Because of the NCAA initiative that shortens when you can start practicing, we've lost an entire week. This would normally be our second week of double practices, but here we are, already starting classes."
Saturday's tune-up will give the third-year mentor and his staff a final chance to assess their players before shifting the focus to a game plan for the opener. The intra-squad game begins at 6 p.m. in Redwood Bowl and is open to the public.
"Our goal is to come out of the second scrimmage ready to move into game week," Smith said. "To achieve that, we'll simulate game-like conditions, but we'll also be cautious about keeping everybody as healthy as possible."
Last week's first scrimmage indicated the defense is closer to being game-ready than the offense is.
"The defense ran to the ball well and forced some turnovers," Smith said. "The offense is lagging behind and is going to have to pick up the pace."
Defensive players who flashed signs of readiness include newcomer Jonathan Faraimo, a junior linebacker transfer from the University of Idaho, and Jordan McGowan-Smith, a junior cornerback out of Santa Rosa JC. Justin Hornsby, who was knocked out of action by an injury last year, appears completely recovered in time for his second chance at a senior year on the defensive line.
Offensively, sophomore wide receiver Pat Gondkoff is another returner who looks ready to go after taking a year off due to injury. Returning running back Daniel Wyatt and newcomer Lyndon Rowells have both played well in the early practice sessions.
Placekicker Matt Bruder, a true freshman out of Steel Canyon High School in Jamul, has emerged as the Jacks' starter at that position. Tim McMullen, a redshirt freshman, and Chris Bolt, one of the Jacks' to primary quarterbacks, are among the leaders competing for the punting assignment.