Four takeaways from FIU football’s Spring Game this past weekend
It was a head-scratcher.
That’s how new FIU football coach Willie Simmons described one particular aspect of this past Saturday’s Spring Game, which ended with the Navy team defeating the White squad, 7-2, in front of a few-thousand fans at Pitbull Stadium.
Three days before the Spring Game, FIU held its first-ever “draft” as Panthers assistant coaches split up into Navy and White squads and started choosing players.
Quarterback Keyone Jenkins, as expected, was the No. 1 overall pick, and he was selected by the White team.
However, Jenkins ended up on the losing squad with zero offensive points. That was due in part to some questionable drafting by the White team, which failed to grab any of FIU’s top three running backs – Ajay Allen; Devonte Lyons; and Kejon Owens.
“The bust of the draft was the White team not selecting one of those three guys,” Simmons said good-naturedly. “I have to talk to the White Team (coaches) to see what their thought process was.
“It was a head scratcher.”
In fact, Lyons scored the game’s only touchdown, a three-yard run in the third quarter that gave the Navy team the victory.
Defensive lineman Nick Watson picked up a safety, giving the White team its only points.
Cornerback Victor Evans III, who played for the Navy team, was perhaps the game’s MVP with two interceptions.
The crowd included three former FIU standouts who have all played in the NFL – Dolphins Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith; Bears wide receiver Maurice Alexander; and ex-safety and 2013 second-round pick Jonathan Cyprien.
On the negative side, FIU went 0-for-4 on field goals, and Panthers quarterbacks were intercepted five times. The QBs also took six sacks, including one for a sack.
Here are four takeaways from the Spring Game:
1. DRAFT DECISION
Simmons, who was previously the head coach at Florida A&M (2018) and Prairie View (2015-2017), said he has used drafts in previous years.
He loves the excitement a draft generates among his players and staff, even if there are the occasional odd choices or omissions.
Simmons said he nearly intervened last week when the White team didn’t select one of FIU’s clear-cut top-three running backs.
“I almost made like (former NBA commissioner) David Stern when he blocked the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers,” Simmons said. “I’m a huge Lakers fan, and I’m still upset about that because Kobe (Bryant) would’ve had two more championships with Chris Paul on his side.”
In FIU’s case, after the Navy team took Allen and Owens, Simmons said he almost ordered the White team to, as he put it: ‘Draft Devonte now.’”
As for the enthusiasm angle, Simmons said; “Our guys celebrated the 40th pick just as much as the first pick. That’s the mark of a true team because they are starting to understand that we celebrate all our successes.
“The draft (concept for the Spring Game) has taken off. The toughest thing is that you have to practice the next day. It was hard to focus on practice because all the guys wanted to talk about was the draft.”
2. DRAFT SNUBS
Simmons said defensive end Keegan Davis was offended by the draft, feeling he should’ve been selected higher.
“Keegan took it personal that he wasn’t one of the first two or three picks,” Simmons said. “He was picked like No. 10, and it hurt his feelings.”
Simmons said he learned a lot of his players during the draft process. He also learned how his coaches value certain players.
“I got a lot of positive feedback (on the draft) from our fans who were able to watch on Instagram Live,” Simmons said.
3. CAUGHT IN A DRAFT
Simmons said he is not concerned with the lack accuracy on field goals, citing the wind as a factor.
Simmons also expressed confidence in starting kicker Noah Grant, a UAB transfer.
“This is our first time (this spring) kicking in our stadium,” Simmons said. “No excuses, but the guys are used to kicking on our practice field. The wind is a little bit different there.
“Noah has a huge leg as we all saw when a couple of his kickoffs went deep into the end zone.
“But in our stadium, the higher the kick is, the more the wind can take it. We don’t have high stands on both sides to block out the wind.”
4. NOT BLOWN AWAY BY THE OFFENSE
Although no official stats were released, it was clear that the defense dominated the Spring Game.
Unofficially, Alex Perry, a wide receiver who has transferred in from Hawaii, caught “several” passes from reserve quarterback Clayton Dees.
Jenkins and wide receiver Eric Nelson Jr. showed good chemistry on the White team.
Dees and Jenkins each threw two interceptions, and Chayden Peery was picked off once.
Simmons said due to the draft concept that splits up starters and reserves, the offense “can get a bit sloppy at times.”