ARCATA — "Clean" was how head coach Rob Smith described Saturday's final football scrimmage, a simple word that had many connotations as Humboldt State heads into next week's season-opener.
Perhaps the primary application of that term relates to injuries, which the Jacks managed to avoid despite some hard-hitting, game-simulation action. It also applied to the play of the Jacks' first offensive unit, which was very efficient one week after a scattered showing in the first scrimmage.
"Last week the defense was running to the ball extremely well and the offense wasn't very organized," Smith said. "Tonight, the offense was much improved, and we saw its potential in a couple of long drives."
That bodes well for the Jacks, who face a formidable task when they begin the season Saturday on the road against NCAA Division I FCS squad Cal Poly. And with several key players held out Saturday due to minor injuries and illness, HSU's depth was another component that impressed.
Among those missing the roughly 80-play scrimmage were HSU co-captains Taylor Boggs and Matt Devlin. Boggs, the Jacks' center and a bona fide All-American candidate, is on the mend from an illness, and Devlin, the Jacks' starting tight end and a first team all-Great Northwest Athletic Conference selection in 2009, is recovering from a contusion.
Stepping up to help lead the drives was backup center David Kulp, a redshirt freshman whose play caught Smith's attention. Also playing well on the line were Riordan Gomez, who shifted to tackle from his customary guard spot, and Adam Cherrie, who moved inside to guard.
Alex Hiebert, taking Devlin's spot at tight end, finished one drive with a touchdown reception. And junior transfer Lyndon Rowells, continued to impress with his skills at running back.
"We achieved what we hoped to tonight," Smith said. "But with the return of several key players who were held out, you'll see a different looking team next week."
Following two weeks of preseason camp, the Jacks' focus shifts to preparing for the Mustangs and Saturday's 6 p.m. game in San Luis Obispo. The battle will be broadcast life on KATA Radio, 1340 AM, with J.B. Mathers and Burt Nordstrom describing the action.