JONESBORO -- Fredi Knighten's deep pass Saturday night fell to the ground just in front of the outstretched arms of Booker Mays.
The missed opportunity didn't deter Arkansas State's senior quarterback, who saw a defender jump offsides on the next play and went deep down the left sideline again. This time Knighten connected with Dijon Paschal for an 80-yard touchdown pass.
It was the longest of about 75 plays run during Saturday's second scrimmage at Centennial Bank Stadium, and it showed off what Knighten and Coach Blake Anderson hope will be added elements to the offense this season.
"We're going to be more aggressive," Knighten said. "We're going to make them respect the pass game. We've emphasized that all camp."
Knighten unofficially finished 12 of 19 passing for 242 yards and 3 touchdowns without an interception, and plenty of those passes were thrown to attack the third level of the defense. Knighten threw a 34-yard touchdown to Darion Griswold on the top offense's third possession, and completed a 40-yard pass to junior receiver Tyler Trosin, who leaped and made the outstretched catch with one hand.
"That's got to be a part of what we are," Anderson said. "If people are going to load the box and bring the safeties down low and make it hard to run, we've got to be able to connect. We've done a good job of that most of camp. I was a little surprised we didn't connect today."
The deep passes highlighted a scrimmage that began a bit clunky for an offense that returns 10 players with starting experience.
Playing against the No. 2 defense, the top offense went three and out on its first two series, the second of which included a snap from center Devon Mondie that sailed over Knighten's head and was recovered by linebacker Quanterio Heath.
On the next drive, Knighten connected with Griswold down the sideline for a 34-yard pass on a wheel route, and on the third he found Paschal racing down the left sideline for another score. Knighten's pass to Trosin set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Knighten. The quarterback led the team to four touchdowns on seven drives and ended the scrimmage with a 9-yard touchdown pass to J.D. McKissic.
It was enough for Anderson to say it was an improvement over the first scrimmage a week ago and make others feel they will be ready to play with two more weeks of fine-tuning before the Sept. 5 season opener at Southern California.
"I would feel comfortable," Paschal said. "But these two more weeks will make it so much better."
James Tabary, a redshirt freshman and backup quarterback, finished an unofficial 8 of 16 for 66 yards with 2 touchdowns, one of which was a 21-yard pass to freshman running back Warren Wand.
Anderson called Wand a "bright spot" in Saturday's scrimmage, and the 5-5, 174-pound freshman from Edmond, Okla., played one series with the top offense.
"He just keeps getting better and better every day," Anderson said.
Anderson also was pleased to see a semblance of a top offensive line for one of the few times in camp. Affected by minor injuries since practice began, the offensive line didn't have any key players sit out Saturday night. Jemar Clark started with the No. 1 offense at left tackle along with Austin Moreton (left guard), Mondie (center), Colton Jackson (right guard) and Joseph Bacchus (right tackle).
Guard Daniel Keith, who injured an ankle in last week's scrimmage, played with the second unit.
"They haven't had a whole lot of work together, which is scary," Anderson said. "These next two weeks are really important for that group."
Anderson said depth charts will start to be formed today and preparation for USC will begin Wednesday.
What they won't have to take into consideration are any significant injuries. A week after a scrimmage in which a handful of starters sat out with minor injuries, only reserve tight end Jonah Hill (hamstring) and defensive tackle Chuks Ota (ankle) missed Saturday.
"We have some hamstrings and groins and some wear and tear of fall camp," Anderson said. "But everybody should have a chance to be ready for the first game, and that's pretty rare."
Sports on 08/23/2015