The Commanders turn around with a short week. They play the Memphis Express on Saturday at 11 a.m. (Central) at the Alamodome. The Express are coming off a 34-31 loss to the Orlando Apollos.
In the end, the Commanders scored their second touchdown of the game with less than six minutes remaining in a 19-15 victory at the Alamodome.
The Commanders had 64 yards rushing. Almost a third of that, 19 yards, came from quarterback Marquise Williams off the bench in the fourth quarter. Trey Williams had 19 yards and David Cobb had 18.
The Commanders had 213 yards passing – 164 yards from Logan Woodside and 49 from Marquise Williams. Both quarterbacks threw one touchdown pass. Marquise Williams threw a 36-yard pass to Trey Williams for the winning touchdown.
San Antonio’s offensive linemen, apparently tired of just pushing people around, spent some time working on their passing skills.
Players like tackle Mo Porter, guard Cyril Richardson, guard Mason Gentry, center Brian Folkerts, guard Jovann Letuli, tackle Andrew McDonald and guard Fred Lauina showed they could sling the ball around.
Commanders quarterbacks Logan Woodside, Marquise Williams and Dustin Vaughan were not immediately available for comment after practice.
Houston cut McDonald in 2016 and he hasn’t been on a roster since.
But that’s just the football part of his life. He was diagnosed with cancer – and beat it. He spent two years and ministry school in Indiana and might go back and finish that when his football career is over for good.
For the moment, McDonald’s life is focused on football again, specifically on San Antonio Commanders training camp.
“First week goes by quick,” said McDonald, a 6-foot-5, 314-pound offensive lineman. “Man, it’s so good to get back into it. It’s been awhile. Two years since I’ve been back. But man so good.
“All the camaraderie of the teammates, actually putting on pads, hitting people. It’s a good feeling. I feel like we’ve really bonded together.”
McDonald started every game at left tackle for Indiana University his junior and senior seasons – 2010 and 2011.
With the Commanders, he is currently seeing more time right tackle but also working some at the other positions on the offensive line. As part of a new team, he is part of a group that is trying to come together quickly.
“Everybody is new so we’ve all got to really learn each other, find what kind of people we are,” McDonald said. “You’ve got to be able to trust the teammate next to you, especially offensive line.
“It’s working out. Everybody here on the offensive line, I love them. We’re a pretty tight knit group. Obviously you’ve got to take steps, but it’s coming along pretty well.”
McDonald’s college bio page:
iuhoosiers.com
McDonald comes back from cancer:
indystar.com
It was a sunny day in the low 60s. Players were in full pads.
There is no practice scheduled Friday – the first day off since training camp workouts started Saturday.
