LIVINGSTON, Ala. –Coach Will Hall saw enough good things in Sunday's scrimmage to leave him happy as the Tigers completed the first week of fall camp in preparation for the season opener Sept. 7 against Clark Atlanta.

The 50-minute scrimmage came at the end of a two-hour practice and featured best versus best for three series.

"We did a lot of scripted situational stuff in the red zone and for third down, then went live with the ones for three series, the twos for three series and then the young guys for three series," Hall said. "There seemed to be a lot of energy. I look forward to watching the tape and evaluating further."

Hall liked the work of running backs Kedrick Rhodes, Javae Swindle and Markeyus Johnson as the Tigers continue to work at a faster pace than last season. The more up-tempo style has made a favorable impression on Rhodes and center Skeeter Sellers.

"We are trying to implement some up tempo style on offense. The offensive line did a good job of communicating and we handled our assignments today," Sellers said. "As you saw, we had a lot of big plays and that's our goal this year, to be more explosive on offense."
Rhodes, who is expected to team up with sophomore Javae Swindle to form a potent one-two punch for the Tigers, was more to the point.

"The tempo of this offense is much faster than I'm used to. The first day I came out here I died," Rhodes, a transfer from Florida International said. "I had to come out and do some extra running, but I'm coming around now.

"Javae has all the speed and I am a little more powerful. I use a lot of moves," Rhodes said. "I've worked hard on my speed, but I have always been a good agility guy, having a good burst."

Hall singled out cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Rashad Greene, as well as linebacker Tevin Thomas on defense. Greene had an interception to highlight his day.

"(Secondary) Coach (Coy) Campbell always tells me to stay inside for the post and in practice I am usually over the top, so I get beat on the post," Greene said. "This time, I said 'let me get my mind on the post and staying inside.' I just broke on it and got the pick."

With classes starting Monday at UWA, two-a-day practices have gone by the wayside. The Tigers will continue to work in the afternoons at Tiger Stadium as game week approaches.