By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Many of the highlights for Elon’s football team came from the defense in the spring-ending scrimmage.
But the offense gained valuable experience during the past few weeks and came up with big plays by the end of Saturday’s workout at Rhodes Stadium.
“Lot of growth from practice 1 to 15,” coach Tony Trisciani said. “The guys were consistent with coming out and competing with each other.”
The learning curve might be larger for the offense, with new coordinator Doug Martin in place and a new starting quarterback to be selected in advance of the Phoenix playing in the August 28 opener at Duke. Linebackers coach Casey Vance has moved into the role as defensive coordinator.
Quarterbacks Landen Clark, a redshirt freshman, and Marco Lainez, a transfer from Iowa, worked with the top units during the scrimmage.
“We started out trying to install this stuff day by day,” Clark said.
That’s a process for the Phoenix, especially as quarterbacks attempt to find their footings.
“Learning a new offense, you really got to put in the work on and off the field,” tight end Dylan Magazu said.
Any discussion of notable scrimmage plays ought to begin with 306-pound defensive lineman Brandon Smiley. He batted a pass and then made a diving catch for the interception as he fell to the ground.
When Tommy Kane, who has played as a defensive back, made a touchdown catch, it caught the defense’s attention. Kane’s play brought about a rather loud reaction from the defensive side – perhaps as much groan as celebration for a player who once was part of its group.
The offense had moments to remember. Clark said his favorite pass was a deep throw corralled by receiver Isaiah Fuhrmann.
“It feels good to finally connect on one of those,” Clark said.
Magazu reached the end zone on a strong maneuver after catching Lainez’s pass. Clark later hooked up with Zimere Winston for a scoring play.
“This really showed a glimpse of what we can really be,” Clark said. “We have some areas we can really improve on. We did really well in some areas, too.”
Running backs T.J. Thomas, Jr., who underwent surgery after a 2024 injury, and Jimmyll Williams, a transfer from Virginia State, didn’t participate in the scrimmage as they recover from injuries, Trisciani said.
