Freshman cornerback gives SDSU defense a spark
CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah's home opener doubled as homecoming and tripled as Trey Carr's coming out party.
The South Dakota State true freshman cornerback notched two tackles, two pass breakups, an interception and a defensive PAT – the second in school history – on Saturday night against the Thunderbirds at Eccles Coliseum. In just his third college game, the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder from Omaha looked every bit like a three-star recruit in helping the No. 11-ranked Jackrabbits to a 26-6 victory.
"I feel like I'm getting comfortable and loose and can be myself," Carr said. "The coaches just prepared me – and all my teammates are preparing me, also."
More on game from Terry Vandrovec's blog
It wasn't just the stats; the style stood out, too. The interception was a one-hand snag that Carr quickly took in the other direction to the end zone, although the score was called back because of a penalty. One of the pass breakups was on fourth down in the fourth quarter with SUU in scoring range, Carr diving in front of the intended receiver without interfering.
The defensive PAT was the most impressive. Forced back 15 yards for an infraction after late a touchdown, the Thunderbirds (0-3) lined up to kick the extra point only to fake it, the holder running right then throwing left almost laterally to the kicker. Carr followed the holder – as SUU wanted him to, according to Thunderbirds coach Ed Lamb – but then he sniffed out what was going on and corrected in time to pick off the pass and take it to the end zone for two points.
"Brilliant athletic play by him," Lamb said.
The Jacks (2-1) expect that it was the first of many. Carr has been turning the heads of players and coaches since showing up for summer workouts, and is pushing for more time in a veteran secondary.
"I thought Trey played beyond his years, really," SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier said. "For a true freshman – that's pretty good. Hopefully, he continues to work hard."
Former Jackrabbit has gig as NFL scout
Another NFL rep was hanging around the Jacks sideline Saturday, but watching from a different perspective than the rest.
Former SDSU receiver Glen Fox works in the Arizona Cardinals scouting department. He made his way to Cedar City for reasons personal rather than professional, meeting up with ex-teammate Dusty Snyders to check out the Jacks.
Things have changed considerably since Fox finished his eligibility in 2009. That year, SDSU made the FCS playoffs for the first time and Fox finished third in school history for career catches (152).
"The support we have around the program is great," he said. "I was talking to somebody last week with familiarity of the (FCS) system and they said, 'South Dakota State – that's a top-10 program every year.' That's good to hear."
An Iowa native, Fox played professionally until last year, when he got a gig as a scouting assistant – the connection being a Cardinals executive who was college teammates with a former Jacks assistant. He parlayed that quasi-graduate assistant stint into a regular role this season.
Primarily, Fox deals with advance scouting of opponents – Denver is his next assignment – and evaluating free agents. He enjoys the personnel side and envisions staying on that track rather than trying to move toward coaching.
"It's still football, but it's definitely more of a business approach to it," Fox said. "But I have an appreciation for that. I think I try to use the things I learned as a player."
NOTES: The Jacks are 5-1 against SUU, winning the last five.
• SDSU's non-conference finale is Saturday at 6 p.m. against NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Oshkosh. The Titans are 0-2.
• The Jacks haven't given up a PAT in the last two games, Cal Poly and Southern Utah combining to squander four conversion attempts.
At a Glance
Weekend: The Jackrabbits cruised to a 26-6 victory over Southern Utah on the road. SDSU scored a pair of
touchdowns on defense and true freshman cornerback Trey Carr had a big day with an interception and a PAT
returned returned for a score.
Next Saturday: vs. Wisconsin -Oshkosh, 6 p.m.