The freshman caught nine passes for 147 yards and four scores as the Topper offense accounted for 13 touchdowns and four field goals in the two-plus hour workout.
“That was good to see, it was what we always thought Curtis could do,” said Elson. “He has the ability to be a big-play guy, he has great speed to get down the field and make some plays. I think that is one thing that our offense has to have this year to take pressure off the running game.”
Cory Clemons added five receptions for 54 yards, Jamison Link supplied four for 29 yards and Perkins recorded three catches for another 50. Ten different Hilltoppers posted at least one reception on the afternoon.
Justin Haddix led the offense on nine scoring drives, finishing 23-of-37 passing for 277 yards and six scores while adding a 1-yard touchdown rushing.
“I thought the offense looked really good today,” Elson said. “Justin threw the ball well. They started off real well in the goal-line situations, which is where the offense should have come success, although it started to balance out in the red zone.
“Overall you would have to say that the offense outperformed the defense, and that the defense has a lot of work to do.”
The offense started the day with 1st-and-goal at the defense’s 4-yard line before the situation changed to 1st-and-10 at the defense’s 25, taking advantage by scoring touchdowns on its first eight possessions. Haddix opened with scoring passes to Jared Holland and Chris Brunemann before reaching the end zone from 1-yard out on a sneak.
The second-team offense followed up with four touchdown runs from Jamar Harris, who ended the scrimmage with 47 yards on 18 carries. Brian Porter added a 12-yard scoring run before the defense earned its first stop of the day when it forced a Haddix incompletion on 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
In fact, the defense did not allow a touchdown on the next seven possessions, although Chris James converted field goals from 36, 25, 46 and 22 yards.
Haddix ended the touchdown drought with a 33-yard scoring pass to Hamilton on a drive that started at midfield.
The defense fared well as the opening half ended, recording five sacks as the next four possessions ended without any points on the board. Deion Holts recorded two sacks during that time, ending the day with seven tackles — including three stops behind the line of scrimmage — and a pass defended. “It was troublesome that the offense was allowing sacks, but that means that we are doing some good things rushing the passer,” said Elson. “Deion looked really good at times coming off the edge.”
Haddix ended the first half with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Hamilton, ending a nine-play, 69-yard march in which he completed 4-of-7 passes for 76 yards. He connected with Hamilton on scoring passes of 25 and 10 yards later on, with Craig Lanham adding one other touchdown on a 7-yard run in the second half.
Porter led the rushing attack with 50 yards on 16 carries, while Lanham finished with eight attempts for 19 yards. Jack Rafferty was 8-of-14 passing, which included finding Jessie Quinn for 42 yards for the longest completion of the day.
Dan Cline paced the defense with eight tackles, which included a sack. Dusty Bear, Brandon Smith and Ben Sowders each posted six stops — Smith had 2.5 sacks while Bear recorded 1.5 tackles behind the line — as Daniel Williams had five with 3.5 for loss. Antonio Thomas also collected five stops to go along with four passes broken up.
The Hilltoppers begin the final week of spring practice with an 8 p.m. (CDT) workout Monday at Smith Stadium.
