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SAN ANGELO, Texas – Joey Knight's touchdown catch on the final play of Friday's Blue and Gold Scrimmage may have come against Angelo State's red zone defense, but it doesn't mean that the Ram defensive unit didn't show that it's capable of stopping an offense when it matters during the practice at the LeGrand Sports Complex.

There were great moments for each side in the afternoon workout – including a couple of big plays for the offense – but when the defense needed a stop during the scrimmage's longer drives, it provided one.

One of the day's biggest stops came shortly after the midpoint of Friday's scrimmage. Ram quarterback Josh Neiswander hit wide out C.J. Akins for a 20-yard gain on the left side to give the first-team offense a first-and-goal from the five. Instead of folding, the first-team defense sacked Neiswander for a seven-yard loss on the next play and then benefitted from a 15-yard chop block penalty. Neiswander hit running back Michael Connor for a 16 yard gain, but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended the drive.

On the very next series with the second team on the field, Blake Hamblin found Excelle Osborne streaking down the sideline for a 39-yard gain, one of three catches for nearly 100 yards by the sophomore wide receiver. Again, the defense stiffened up in the red zone, holding Tristan Carter to two yards on the next carry, a two-yard loss on a pass in the flat, and ended the drive with a sack.

Other highlights during the contest included a 50-yard touchdown connection between Hamblin and Osborne, a highlight reel bobbled catch by tight end Kyle Knapp over the middle, a 73-yard kickoff return by Terrance Preston after muffing the catch, and two fumble recoveries by freshman Lawrence Syon.

The Rams conclude fall camp Saturday with a two-a-day practice session at LeGrand Sports Complex, and will begin preparation for their week one opponent, Eastern New Mexico, starting Monday.