3. Plays of the Day:
Plenty to choose from Wednesday, but we can narrow it down to three. The first took place early in 11-on-11 period. Moving from west to east and the ball on his own 35-yard line, Jake Haener got the snap from Erik McCoy, got great protection after a play action, and watched receiver Chris Olave put a devastating double move on cornerback Alontae Taylor and sprinted in the clear deep down the right sideline. Haener delivered a perfect ball, hit Olave in stride for an easy 75-yard touchdown reception. Play two took place during the final 11-on-11 period. With the offense now moving east to west and Spencer Rattler at quarterback at the plus 44-yard line. Rattler stood tall in the pocket that was collapsing around him, and bought enough time to uncork a deep ball just slightly to the left of center where speedster Mason Tipton was able to make a diving catch at the 1-yard line and rolled into the end zone for a touchdown, beating Quincy Riley and Jordan Howden in coverage. The last play took place on the last rep of the day, during the two-minute drill. Rattler had moved the offense (despite a big 15-yard sack from linebacker D’Marco Jackson) toward the east end zone to the plus 35-yard line with 27 seconds left. Expecting a pass, the defense was caught off guard when Rattler handed the ball off to converted running back Velus Jones Jr., who scampered left side and untouched for the touchdown, garnering one final loud cheer from the fans. A great way to end a highly entertaining day on Tom Benson Way.