HATTIESBURG, MS – The Golden Eagles got one step closer to game action as they put the pads on for a live 11-on-11 scrimmage Tuesday with less than three weeks until their season opener against Liberty.

“[It was] a good day, for the most part, we stayed healthy. We had a lot of offensive skill kids out today- they are banged up. Our defense came out and really set the tone early.” Head Coach Will Hall said.

Hall feels that the team has a “chance” to be a good football team but does not think they are quite there yet two weeks into fall camp. However, he believes they are trending in the right direction.

Here are the three main takeaways that I had after watching the scrimmage.

1. The defense had a productive day

“I think overall, the defense probably had the better part of the day, which is good to see. The last few days, I think the offense has really had the better part of the day,” Hall said.

The first team defense forced the first team offense to a quick three and out to start the day. Brodarius Lewis blew by the offensive line and got Ty Keyes for a sack, which set the tone for what would be a subpar performance of the offensive line.

The only yards for the first team on the first drive were from a three-yard Keyes scramble. The first, second, and third team defenses did not allow a score from the offense to start the day.

Averie Habas, the “Jack” linebacker, talked about the importance of communication for the defense when Hall calls all the motions for the offense.

“That’s part of my job, helping out everybody,” Habas said. “This is my fifth year, and I have been in the system now for two years, so my job has helped those younger guys out- doesn’t matter if they’re transfers or freshman or guys that just need help. I can help them out.”

Habas led the way with a pair of sacks and recorded an interception late in the scrimmage. The defense had four sacks and multiple pass breakups.

Daylen Gill flashed today, blowing through the offensive line on the twelfth drive of the day for a tackle for a loss on running back Janari Dean.

“[He’s] a great football player that plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Real physical guy, tough guy. I’m glad he is on our team,” Hall said about Gill.

The defense has shown that they have a chance to be better than last season.

2. Quarterbacks

The quarterbacks got some action this morning, but no quarterback necessarily looked spectacular.

Keyes did not complete a pass until his third drive of the scrimmage. Granted, part of Keyes’s game is taken away since he isn’t live, but you feel that the starting quarterback could have more production than that.

Keyes’s stat line was 4/10 for 58 yds, 1 TD, and 1 INT. (Note: not the official stat line, but what I recorded down.)

Keyes’s lone TD pass found the end zone on a pass from inside the 10-yard line that landed in the hands of junior wide receiver Jakarius Caston.

Hall and his staff have had high hopes for Caston and he has flashed his talent this camp.

“I think [Keyes] is where we thought he would be. I don’t think he’s gotten any better or any worse. He puts all this time in, and he’s extremely talented,” Hall said.

After Keyes came Trey Lowe, who started the season for Southern Miss last year. Lowe’s performance may not make any of the day’s highlights, but he completed the first pass for the quarterbacks on the day after a slow start.

Lowe did have some pleasant moments, including an impressive ball towards the end of practice to redshirt freshman Richard Mays for 27 yards, which was eventually negated after a missed field goal by Jack Tannehill.

Zack Wilke also showed some nice moments but, struggled to get anything going for the threes.

However, he did lead his team down the field on a touchdown drive. He made a key third-down pass to Jack Jackson for 21 yards.

Jackson also enjoyed a long ball from sophomore Jake Lange for a 69-yard touchdown pass for the first touchdown of the scrimmage.

All in all, the quarterbacks had their moments, but they also had their struggles.

3. Running backs impressed

The running backs had a productive day. They all looked exceptional, and showed moments of leaps toward where Hall wants the program.

As soon as Frank Gore Jr. stepped into the offense in the second drive for the first team, they moved the ball right down the field. On the 71-yard drive, 51 yards went to Gore.

“I feel great. It’s great to be out here in an 11-on-11 situation, getting close to the season. I feel great,” Gore Jr. said.

Gore’s vision is the most improved aspect of his game. He saw holes that the offensive line gave him, shot through them, and blasted to the outside if nothing was there.

“Frank had a great camp. He’s really done a great job with his body. He’s got a chance to be a special player,” Hall said.

Antavious Willis had a 56-yard rush towards the beginning of practice, although a holding call negated it. Freshman Kenyon Clay popped off a nice 20-yard touchdown run against the third team.

Chandler Pittman also got some impressive runs off and brushed first contact off.

All in all, Southern Miss showed signs today of being a good football team, but it was apparent that they were not there just yet.

“We got a chance to be a much better football team. Like I said, we’re not there yet. We are young, and we will continue to get better as the year goes on,” Hall said.

Something to watch is Jason Brownlee’s status as he was on crutches on the sideline during practice with surgical tape around his right leg. Hall said he would return in a “couple of days.”

The Golden Eagles will have another scrimmage on Saturday as a part of the Golden Eagle Fan Fest.