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 Your Take: Spring game reports
Posted: Tuesday April 27, 1999 01:56 AM
CNN/SI asked users to give reports from their favorite teams’ spring games that mark the end of spring practices. Here is a sampling of the responses:
The U of A Red-White game, in my mind, left Razorback fans still pondering, who are these guys on the O-line and do we really have any talented depth there? The rest of the team is set & very talented at all skill positions. The backup QB will be Robby Hampton, so [Gary] Brashears will be redshirted and will take over after [Clint] Stoerner graduates. Brashears looks so much more comfortable & smooth than Hampton in his movement and passing, but Hampton has a year of knowing the offense on his side for this year.
I attended Georgia's spring game a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed by the defense. I know traditionally that the defense is ahead of the offense but the tackling looked very crisp. Our kicking game looks much improved, and the question about a backup quarterback was answered with Reagan Torbert. I know Tennessee and Florida look very strong but I think Georgia is gaining ground fast.
Alabama's A-Day attendance: 32,500
If Rashard Casey didn't prove today at the PSU Blue-White game that he, not Kevin Thompson, deserves the starting QB job, then I don't know what he needs to do. Thompson was off target on almost every throw over 15 yards and threw two interceptions. Casey, on the other hand, handled the offense brilliantly, throwing for over 150 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for a third.
The first Iowa performance under Kirk Ferentz showed little in regard to the new West Coast offense. The coaching staff didn't bother to give the 18,000 fans who came out something fun to watch. As for personnel, there are three players that stand out of the mediocrity: Running back Ladell Betts, linebacker Aaron Kampman and defensive end/lineman Anthony Herron. This will be a rebuilding year, I think six wins will be considered a successful season.
In FSU's first modified spring game ever, the QBs, Marcus Outzen and Jared Jones, battled for the No. 2 spot behind Chris Weinke. Jamal Reynolds is an all-star defensive end (much like his predecessors) and Jarel Hudson looks good at linebacker. Since FSU only lost three starters off its defense, it's no wonder the final score was 3-0.
I attended the annual Marshall Green-White game in Huntington, W. Va., and I must say, QB Chad Pennington is a very likely Heisman candidate. He didn't play much in the game, because they don't want to injure him, but look at all of his stats. He has had 2 years of stats without Randy Moss, and they are still very respectable. Look for him to shine again this season.
Playing before a rabid crowd of cold and wind-burned Hokie fans who now anticipate the most-hyped fall in Tech football history, redshirt freshman phenom QB Michael Vick played an inconsistent four quarters where the second team was spotted 14 points at the outset, eventually winning 20-17. Good plays were mixed with bad ones, but it is clear that Vick is the future for this team of exceptionally talented players. The first-team offense steamrolled late behind the capable running of Shyrone Stith. Several money catches were dropped by the receiving corps. The highlight of the day was a halfback pass from high-school QB Andre Kendrick to Terrell Parham.
Well Big East fans, those of you who think BC will be a pushover this year could be sadly mistaken. In BC's annual Jay McGillis spring game the white (1st tm O, 2nd tm D) beat the maroon (1st D, 2nd O) 31-14. Although Junior Tim Hasselbeck played with the 1st O, the quarterback situation is very much up for grabs, with fellow Junior Dave Robbins, and Redshirt Freshman Brian St.Pierre staying in contention. On Defense BC could have as many as 5 All-Big East selections (Hovan, Willets, Garay, Cirino, and White) on a unit that looks to be vastly improved over last seasons unit. My early prediction is 6-5 overall. Keep in mind that BC has a highly decorated incoming recruiting class as well as a solid sophomore/redshirt freshman class to help build around.
Rutgers gave up a 10-0 lead late in the second quarter to their Alumni team, who had practiced only twice and was some 35 guys strong. Then, due to the sheer luck of a Rutgers alum fumbling the ball away with two minutes left, was able to take the ball down the field and eke out a 16-12 win on the very last play of the game.
This past weekend Oregon State QB Jonathan Smith went 14-16 for 176 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, leading the Beavers to 4 scores. Two OSU receivers combined for 15 catches and 194 yds. Ken Simonton, who destroyed the Oregon Ducks and Akili Smith in last years Civil War, rushed for 50 yards on 13 carries.
Fresno State’s defensive unit showed its experience, downing the offensive unit 25-10. Third-year Bulldog head coach Pat Hill used six series of situational play, kicking game situations and special teams before five "compete zone" drives from the 25-yard line. Freshman quarterback Jeff Grady hooked up with true freshman wide receiver Jerry Bolling for a pretty 75-yard catch for a score. During the situational series, sophomore Carlos Mack picked off a pass, one of the highlights of the morning. Freshman defensive lineman Ramsey Venner had eight tackles overall, including two sacks and one tackle for loss for three yards. Tim Skipper had six tackles during the workout, including two for loss for a total of seven yards.
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