That’s good news for the offense because that’s freshman quarterback Eugene Smith in a gold jersey. Remember, Smith broke his left foot June 26. He’d been wearing a green jersey thus far in practice, which limited his participation. In Saturday’s opening scrimmage of camp, he was full-go as the second-team quarterback. He was 8-for-13 for 85 yards, including a pretty corner route pass to Will Johnson for a 41-yard gain.

Smith was under center, he was in the shotgun, he ran option. Basically, there were no limitations.

“We’re not going to have just a package for him. He has to know the whole gamut. He’s really good, really sharp,” Bill Stewart said.

Other things to note:

– It was not a good day for the offense, which didn’t score a touchdown until the scrimmage progressed to the “Gold Zone” drill, when the ball starts at the 9-yard line. They found a few ways to get in there, including a touchdown pass to Wes Lyons and a nifty run along the sideline by Tavon Austin. Otherwise, it was all defense.

“I did not see great leadership or great enthusiasm on the offensive side of the ball. I was very disappointed in that,” Stewart said. “Sometimes, though, when those blue shirts whack and attack you like they did today, that has a lot to do with that.” 

– Along those lines, it was kind of what Stewart wanted to see after a disappointing Friday. 

– On third-and-short (three yards or less for a first down) the offense was 0-for-2 and then 0-for-1 on a fourth-and-short. Ryan Clarke was stuffed on consecutive runs and Tyler Urban dropped a pass, though Boogie Allen made a hit to break up the play. Donny Barclay committed a false start on a third-and-3 and the offense came up short on the third-and-8.

– Brad Starks didn’t play any quarterback, which would indicate a great trust in Smith. Stewart wouldn’t put Smith at No. 2 just yet.

“He may have gained a little bit today,” Stewart said. “He may have.”

– Tyler Bitancurt was 2-for-2 on field goals (46 and 42 yards). Josh Lider was 1-for-2 (made a 22-yarder, wide left from 41).

-True Freshman Pat Miller played some snaps with the first-team at cornerback. Kent Richardson had an interception in the end zone in a Gold Zone drill.

– The first play of the scrimmage came out of the I-formation. Jarrett Brown play-faked to Noel Devine and then bootlegged right for 11 yards.

– Running back Jordan Roberts keeps showing up. He of the 65-yard touchdown in the Gold-Blue game broke free on a 31-yard run Saturday.

– Lots of blitzes. In a scrimmage.

– Chris Beatty is a walking sauna. I don’t know how he hasn’t passed out yet. It was 92 degrees today.