� Photogallery

FAYETTE, Mo. -�The Eagle defense controlled much of the team's 11-on-11 drills during the fifth practice of the spring, held Monday afternoon at Davis Field.

The aggressive defense, utilizing an attacking 4-3 scheme, came up with two turnovers and bottled up the Central Methodist offense for much of the team drills during the three-hour session.

Head Coach Jody Ford was pleased with the overall effort from his Commodores, and especially the intensity of the defensive unit.

"Defensively, for us it's about a game of reacting... so guys can tee off a little bit," Ford said. "At times that's what you saw, but I'm definitely impressed with where we going.

"You always want to see what the guys are going to react in special situations. This was an opportunity for these guys to step out and actually show what they can do. Some guys did a great job holding up to it and other guys just need more work," Ford added.

The Eagles will take Tuesday off, then return to Davis Field on Wednesday for their second practice of the spring in full pads. The team is a little more than three weeks away from the featured Black & White Spring Game.

Two defenders, defensive end Ryan Tate and cornerback Brandon Justin, posted the turnovers on the first two plays from scrimmage in 11-on-11 drills. Tate recovered a fumble, while Justin nabbed an interception and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown.

Several other defenders stood out during the scrimmage. Linbacker Kadesh Reaves contributed a tackle for loss. Linemen Kyle Rose, Damien Stevens and Collin Sizemore each tallied a sack.

Wide receiver Jamall Williams and tight end Kelly Malloy provided many of the top offensive hightlights.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF POSSESSIONS

Drive I� The first play ended with Tate recovering a Kaleb Borghardt fumble at the 27-yard line.

Drive II Justin picked off a Borghardt pass intended for Williams and raced 75 yards to the endzone.

Drive III A false start was followed by a tackle-for-loss by Reaves. A 37-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

Drive IV After a false start on the first play, quarterback Cal Benson eluded the pass rush and scampered 27 yards to the house.

Drive V The defense dominated the first eight plays of the series, forcing three false starts, two incomplete passes and sacks by Rose and Stevens. The offense completed only two passes on the first eight plays of the drive, with neither going longer than five yards downfield. However, on the ninth play and following a Stevens' sack, the offense hit paydirt for the second time. Borghardt drew an offsides by the defense, and on the continuation connected with Williams in stride from 35 yards out.

Drive VI The last two possessions would be the offense's most impressive of the day. The sixth possession saw the offense working on a situation with 30 seconds left in the game and having to score. After a Sizemore sack on the first play, the offense began to get in sync. Borghardt found wide receivers Paul Stevens and Shawn Whitley for completions of 14 and 6 yards, respectively. The drive ended with a Fredrik Kirkhaug 27-yard field goal that split the uprights.

Drive VII The final possession lasted only one play, as quarterback Max Holmes found Malloy for a 25-yard touchdown pass.