Those susceptible to razzle-dazzle likely labeled the first Nick Fanuzzi-to-Derek Clark scoring play as the more memorable of the two touchdowns the duo produced on Saturday. It was a prime example of the potent combination of exceptional arm strength and outstanding concentration, with Fanuzzi delivering a perfect pass that Clark corralled over pressing cornerback Jarrett Ben while streaking down the far sideline en route to a 65-yard touchdown.
Those longing for something serendipitous from the Owls' offense probably jerked in their seats when Fanuzzi found Clark the second time, for that connection evoked memories of the most prolific quarterback-receiver tandem in NCAA history: Chase Clement to Jarett Dillard.
Flushed out of the pocket and to his right, Fanuzzi closed in on the sideline while defenders closed in on his torso. But instead of being resigned to a short gain, Fanuzzi kept his head up and his eyes sharp, scanning the middle of the field, which is where Clark appeared seemingly from rubber pellets. Fanuzzi delivered a dart across his body before reaching the boundary, and Clark plucked the ball out of the air before turning his body up field and dashing into the end zone. It was as if Fanuzzi had one receiver in mind during his moment of desperation, and interestingly that receiver - Clark - appeared to be mentally in tune with his prone teammate.
"Me and D.C. at the start of the summer came out here and we worked backside shoulder throws in the end zone, and it's one of those things where if you take the time to work with every single receiver you know that there's a trust there because you've been working on it so long," said Fanuzzi, a sophomore transfer from Alabama. "There is no doubt that, hey, I'm going to put it here at this time and he's going to see it and adjust to it. A few times in the past few days in camp that's happened. Today it happened as well."
Added Clark, a redshirt freshman: "We talk a lot. We're kind of figuring each other out. When I run down the field I can meet his eyes and see where I need to go based on that."
Fanuzzi and Clark provided the highlights of an interesting, and scorching, morning as the Owls scrimmaged for the first time. Tailback Shane Turner and quarterback-turned-safety-turned receiver Brent Hotard shone for an offense that continues to seek an identity now that Clement, Dillard, James Casey and three senior linemen have moved on beyond the hedges.
Fanuzzi and fifth-year senior John Thomas Shepherd, who ran for a touchdown and threw a scoring pass to Roddy Maginot, distanced themselves from the third contestant, Ryan Lewis, in the chase to replace Chase as the Owls' starting quarterback. Turner and fifth-year senior Marcus Knox made a case for a three-man tailback rotation with presumed starter Tyler Smith, and the defense, far more advanced than the offense at this stage, did not disappoint. It forced turnovers, tackled confidently, and showcased the swagger that it will need early this season.
"We believe that, we really do," junior end Scott Solomon said of being capable of shouldering a disproportionate load. "We still have a lot of improving to do, but hopefully we can accomplish our goal by the end of two-a-days."
Two freshmen - cornerback Alex Francis and defensive tackle Alex Lowry - made pushes to secure spots on the depth chart. The 5-8 Francis picked off a jump pass from Justin Hill intended for 6-6 Taylor Wardlow when the Owls surprisingly unveiled their Thor Package. Hill and Hotard filled the void left by the versatile Casey, but on this day, without much success.
The offensive line turned in an uneven performance, both in run blocking and pass protection. The linemen struggled with the Solomon-led front, and for every hole created for Turner and Knox, there was a corresponding traffic jam of bodies that clogged the backfield. The quarterbacks spread the wealth on offense, with Clark reinforcing his assault on the depth chart and senior receivers Toren Dixon and Taylor Wardlow proving they are ready for Sept. 5.
Whether the Owls have a starting quarterback by the time they arrive in Birmingham remains to be seen. While Owls coach David Bailiff opted not to tip his hand before studying film of the scrimmage - "I think I know what I saw." - Shepherd oozed the confidence of a signal caller so entrenched in the play book that taking the good with the bad casually comes with the territory.
"I feel good out there," Shepherd said. "I learned a long time ago that you've got to play one play at a time. If you mess up you mess up. Move on, and at the end of the day it's just a game. You've got to play it with all you've got and hopefully it will work out for you in the end.
"Today we had a good day and put some points on the board."
Those longing for something serendipitous from the Owls' offense probably jerked in their seats when Fanuzzi found Clark the second time, for that connection evoked memories of the most prolific quarterback-receiver tandem in NCAA history: Chase Clement to Jarett Dillard.
Flushed out of the pocket and to his right, Fanuzzi closed in on the sideline while defenders closed in on his torso. But instead of being resigned to a short gain, Fanuzzi kept his head up and his eyes sharp, scanning the middle of the field, which is where Clark appeared seemingly from rubber pellets. Fanuzzi delivered a dart across his body before reaching the boundary, and Clark plucked the ball out of the air before turning his body up field and dashing into the end zone. It was as if Fanuzzi had one receiver in mind during his moment of desperation, and interestingly that receiver - Clark - appeared to be mentally in tune with his prone teammate.
"Me and D.C. at the start of the summer came out here and we worked backside shoulder throws in the end zone, and it's one of those things where if you take the time to work with every single receiver you know that there's a trust there because you've been working on it so long," said Fanuzzi, a sophomore transfer from Alabama. "There is no doubt that, hey, I'm going to put it here at this time and he's going to see it and adjust to it. A few times in the past few days in camp that's happened. Today it happened as well."
Added Clark, a redshirt freshman: "We talk a lot. We're kind of figuring each other out. When I run down the field I can meet his eyes and see where I need to go based on that."
Fanuzzi and Clark provided the highlights of an interesting, and scorching, morning as the Owls scrimmaged for the first time. Tailback Shane Turner and quarterback-turned-safety-turned receiver Brent Hotard shone for an offense that continues to seek an identity now that Clement, Dillard, James Casey and three senior linemen have moved on beyond the hedges.
Fanuzzi and fifth-year senior John Thomas Shepherd, who ran for a touchdown and threw a scoring pass to Roddy Maginot, distanced themselves from the third contestant, Ryan Lewis, in the chase to replace Chase as the Owls' starting quarterback. Turner and fifth-year senior Marcus Knox made a case for a three-man tailback rotation with presumed starter Tyler Smith, and the defense, far more advanced than the offense at this stage, did not disappoint. It forced turnovers, tackled confidently, and showcased the swagger that it will need early this season.
"We believe that, we really do," junior end Scott Solomon said of being capable of shouldering a disproportionate load. "We still have a lot of improving to do, but hopefully we can accomplish our goal by the end of two-a-days."
Two freshmen - cornerback Alex Francis and defensive tackle Alex Lowry - made pushes to secure spots on the depth chart. The 5-8 Francis picked off a jump pass from Justin Hill intended for 6-6 Taylor Wardlow when the Owls surprisingly unveiled their Thor Package. Hill and Hotard filled the void left by the versatile Casey, but on this day, without much success.
The offensive line turned in an uneven performance, both in run blocking and pass protection. The linemen struggled with the Solomon-led front, and for every hole created for Turner and Knox, there was a corresponding traffic jam of bodies that clogged the backfield. The quarterbacks spread the wealth on offense, with Clark reinforcing his assault on the depth chart and senior receivers Toren Dixon and Taylor Wardlow proving they are ready for Sept. 5.
Whether the Owls have a starting quarterback by the time they arrive in Birmingham remains to be seen. While Owls coach David Bailiff opted not to tip his hand before studying film of the scrimmage - "I think I know what I saw." - Shepherd oozed the confidence of a signal caller so entrenched in the play book that taking the good with the bad casually comes with the territory.
"I feel good out there," Shepherd said. "I learned a long time ago that you've got to play one play at a time. If you mess up you mess up. Move on, and at the end of the day it's just a game. You've got to play it with all you've got and hopefully it will work out for you in the end.
"Today we had a good day and put some points on the board."
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