Assorted Spring Game Capsules

[sandgk]

Assorted Spring Game Capsules
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Volunteers - Orange vs White
Crowd - 17,409
Format 1's vs 2's
Result 16-13 White
Synopsis - Not a great outing for QBs Crompton or Stephens. Combined for 3 INTs, 1st team O failed to score a TD till final minute.
Free URL - Jackson Sun
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Florida State Garnet vs Gold
Crowd - estimated at 25,000 (free admission)
Format - Offense vs Defense (1's vs 1's ?)
Result - 29-25 Win for Offense over the Garnet Defense
Synopsis - QB problems remain. Both Weatherford and Lee threw 2 INTs. OC Jimbo Fisher left exercising his head shake on the sidelines.
Free URLs
- Sentinel
- SI.com
- News-Record
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Florida Gators
Crowd - 47K + (2nd largest Spring Game Crowd)
Format - Blue vs Orange (1's vs 2's?)
Result - Tebow lead Blue over Newton lead Orange 27-21
Synposis - Tebow w/3TDs and 41 yds rushing. Few hiccups and fewer complaints from the coaches.
Free URLS
- SI.com
- News-Record
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Nebraska - Red vs White
Crowd - 54,288 (Those Huskers LOVE their team).
Format 1's vs 2's
Result - Red over White38-0.
Synposis - convincing win for 1st team loaded Red over 2nd team White. Highlighted by dueling QB oneupmanship between transfer Sam Keller and Joe Ganz.
Free URL - SI.com
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Iowa Hawkeyes -
Crowd - 20,000
Format - Situational Scrimmage?
Result - n/A?
Synopsis - Christensen elevated his status as likely heir to Tate as Iowa's QB starter.
Free URL
- Cedar Rapids Gazette
- SI.com
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Iowa State -
Crowd - 7,000
Format - Situational Scrimmage
Result n/A?
Synopsis - 1st yr Head Coach Chizik saw the Offense outscore the Defense on a scrimmage scoring system 31-22
Free URL - Cedar Rapids Gazette
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Miami Hurricanes - Orange vs White
Crowd - 7,000 (editorial - pathetic!)
Format - "Split Squad"
Result - 7-0 Orange over White
Synopsis - Shannon still has work to do. Defense lead the way - Offense was lacking on either squad.
Quote - It was the same old stuff Saturday in the Orange Bowl: defense crushing offense, mediocre quarterbacking, bland play calling by design.
Free URL - Miami Herald
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USC Trojans
Crowd - ??
Format - Scrimmage 1's vs 1's to start.
Result - n/A?
Synopsis - Sanchez saw more action than Booty.
Free URL - Scout
====================

 

[sandgk]

Some Spring Games of note the wekend of April 21.

Of course - Scarlet vs Gray. The main story in which is likely to be whether or not a QB emerges ahead of the pack. (Doubt it, as the coaches say this could play out till fall).

Weather looks good for this game with mid to high 60's projected. We shall see if the crowd matches the temperature 1k per degree.

===========================

Alabama stages it's Spring Game the same day.
This game is being hyped down south. QB controversies and questions about the offensive line and other issues are dwarfed by speculation that the crowd will top 70,000 to see Saban's first Crimson Tide scrimmage. (Admission is free).

Expect bridges to close down, lengthy YouTube videos of police escorts, and multiple births of sons named "Nick" in Tuscaloosa this weekend.

=============================
In the Big 10 Illinois, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin all try to kick off the cobwebs this Saturday.

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In South Bend the Golden Domers play pick a QB with a bevy of past coaches - the coming of JC or DJ calls the plays?

=====================

The importance of Spring Games as a recruiting tool ....

 

[tedginn05]

Alabama Spring Game

92,138+ at a glorified practice

 

[osufootball727]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep7paMMVQCQ[/youtube]

sounds like the tide are growing jealous...

 

[sandgk]

Scarlet vs Gray.
I asked if the crowd could match the temperature 1K per degree. Well, it did better than that, and raked in a cool $75K plus for a worthy charity in the process.

===========================

Alabama's stages their Spring Game the same day.
Prior to this game I mentioned that speculation had it that the crowd will top 70,000 to see Saban's first Crimson Tide scrimmage.

(Admission is free).

Expect bridges to close down, lengthy YouTube videos of police escorts, and multiple births of sons named "Nick" in Tuscaloosa this weekend.

But did anyone expect 92K+? I'll fess up I did not. Free or not 92K is a massive turn-out for a scrimmage. Who knows, if they try to get $5 a ticket maybe they'll crack their old record. :tongue2:
Outcome - heatstroke I think.

=============================
In the Big 10 ---
Illinois, Lincoln Courier
First the facts - the real ones of importance, as in opinions about the performers and how they did.

developing big-play chemistry between second-year quarterback Juice Williams and freshman wide receiver Arrelious Benn.

Williams completed 14 of 23 passes for 301 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Benn had five catches for 145 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown strike from Williams. He also ran the ball five times for 42 yards and a touchdown.

And if anyone missed this chapter in their young story, Williams said not to worry. There's more to come.

''The Juice-to-Rejus connection, it's probably something you'll hear a lot,'' Williams said of his new favorite playmaker. ''It's excellent. He's the type of guy who can make something out of nothing. It's hard to describe.'

Fans were climbing to their feet applauding and cheering throughout the intrasquad game, won by the offense 49-33 using a unique scoring system that awarded points for big plays, defensive stops and turnovers in addition to touchdowns and place kicks.

Oh, yes - all this brilliance came against the 2nd and 3rd stringers on D.
To which I say BFD.

Now back to that bastion of unbiased journalism the Lincoln Courier.

CHAMPAIGN - A crowd of 10,000 at the Orange and Blue spring game Saturday reminded us that excitement has returned to Illinois football. (OK, so this isn't Penn State, where a record crowd of 71,000 attended the spring game.)

nothing says great journalism like relevant fact checking.:tongue2:
You had Ohio State with paid attendance of 75K+ and 'Bama with (Free Beer!!) 92K - but nothing is quite like 71K in Happy Valley? (Honest Abe is rolling in his grave).

Game format - 1's vs 2's.

Penn State

Orange out or Maroon out - either way, with typical overkill, this was a classy display by the Nitts.

"Today," read one student's sign, "we are all Hokies."
Even the Penn State Blue Band, which played a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace" after a moment of silence for the victims, was in orange. The band also played Virginia Tech's fight song.

The game? Who needs a game with a story like that. OK, the game was a little different than in the past - though still mostly 1's vs 2's.

Offense forced to battle obstacles

Normally, trying to make any definitive conclusions about the Blue-White Game is a lot like a heavyweight boxer trying to determine his contention status by sparring with his 12-year-old cousin.
Except, thanks to a small but significant break in tradition (stacking the Blue squad with first-teamers), the last couple of Penn State's spring scrimmages had turned out to be pretty good precursors of what the following seasons would offer.
In 2005, the first few offensive series were highlight reels for fantastic freshmen Derrick Williams and Justin King, who went on to inject speed and versatility into the offense that fall.
Last April, the first-team offense also looked good -- until it advanced past the 20-yard line. And wouldn't you know it, the 2006 Nittany Lions were red-zone disasters waiting to happen.
So what did 71,000 fans learn about the 2007 Penn State team on this gorgeous Saturday afternoon? Well, they might have learned a lot more had the recently adopted tradition not been given a new twist.
The Blue squad included the likely first-team defense as well as the first-team quarterback, tailback and receivers. But Gerald Cadogan, Lou Eliades, A.Q. Shipley, John Shaw and Dennis Landolt, the five likely September starters on the offensive line, wore white jerseys Saturday, with Johnnie Troutman, Rich Ohrnberger, Patrick Weber, Mike Lucian and Joe Toriello running with quarterback Anthony Morelli and Blue's initial offense.
It was a simple switch that made it immensely tough to put the rest of the day into context.

Maybe they are picking up a thing or two from you know who (no, not sneaky, JT).

Michigan State,
25,000 in attendance (yeah but it's not Penn State - err, Ohio State, err, 'Bama, or a Roman orgy, but it beats 10,000 like by 250% using the modern math).
That has to feel good for Dantonio to see that there are still folks with a pulse in East Lansing.

Oh wait the Detroit News also has that "can't mention Ohio State" disease

It wasn't 71,000 like they had at Penn State for the spring game, but the surprisingly large turnout on a gorgeous sunny day didn't go unappreciated by the Michigan State players.

Who are still in shock that their days of penury under John L. Smith are at an end.

Guess what Dantonio brought to Lansing?

"We haven't won a game here yet," Dantonio said. "There's excitement because there's somebody new here. Our proving is yet to come."
The turnaround isn't likely to happen overnight. Dantonio watched the two teams combine for 15 penalties totaling 114 yards Saturday. Some of those were understandable because the first- and second-team offense and defense were not playing together. The teams were selected in a draft to even up the sides.

Note to BB73 - I think JT is definitely starting a trend.
I also think the Spartans have a lot of work if they gave up that many penalties.

Northwestern,
This was clearly a 1's vs 2's contest.
Crowd (if that is the right word - space actually filled might be closer) 3,500
Outcome Purple over White 17-14.
That is 1's vs 2's. That means either the Wildcats have great depth, or they are in deep trouble.
Sutton saw limited play.
Purdue
Format - modified scoring scrimmage. 1's vs 2's 2's vs 1's 1's vs 1's, 2's vs 2's. etc.
Crowd - estimated at 10,000 (fill in your own Male enhancement joke here).
Outcome - Offense over Defense 86-45.

Wisconsin
Crowd - 18,020. (Earlier Badgers AD personnel were talking up the importance of getting a good Spring Game turn-out).

An announced crowd of 18,020 showed up to watch the Cardinal, consisting of the starters and key reserves, win 35-6 over the White, which was everybody else. That was an improvement over the 10,139 who showed up the year before, but hardly a head-turning total for a program feeling so good about itself.

Format - 1's vs 2's.

Major Question heading into the game the QB leader was open to doubt.
After the game local sports reporters call Wisconsin the clear winner - because neither QB distanced themselves from the other.
That opinion was not wholly embraced by 2nd year Head Coach Bret Bielema.

"Bottom line, the guy that is going to line up under center for the first snap against Washington State is going to be the guy that puts us in the best position to have success," Bielema said.

Both QBs showed up well in this game tossing 2 and 3 TD passes respectively.
Outcome - 35-6 starters over rest of student body.


=============================
Notre Dame
Crowd - 51,852, paid attendance. (Tickets were available for $8 general admission, $7 for 18 and under at local Meijer stores).
Outcome Gold over Blue 10-6
Questions coming in - QB, QB, QB - Clausen, Jones, Sharpley, Frazer.
Answers going out - None.
The QBs did NOT have a good day.
Format - Actually somewhat interesting, especially as it was one which should have favored the QBs.
Though there was a split squad, the bulk of starting O-line was allowed to play for either Gold or Blue. - plus the QBs were taggable, but not sackable in their red jerseys.

OFFENSE

Each possession will begin from the offense's own 35-yard line after each score or to begin a half.
Offense can place ball on either hash or the middle of the field. DEFENSE

Defense must match up personnel.
Defense may rush no more than five.

OTHER RULES

Starting QB to be determined by staff coin toss.
Quarterbacks will alternate series.
Quarterbacks will wear red jerseys.
Quarterbacks will be tagged off with two hands to be called down.

Green Team Roster (can play on both teams)
51-Dan Wenger, OG/OC;
55-Eric Olsen, OG;
63-Jeff Tisak, OT;
67-Thomas Bemenderfer, OC/OG;
71-Bartley Webb, OT;
72-Paul Duncan, OT;
73-Matt Carufel, OG;
74-Sam Young, OT;
77-Mike Turkovich, OG;
78-John Sullivan, OC

So, who will lead the Domers?

None of the four quarterbacks seeking to replace Brady Quinn did anything remarkable. Evan Sharpley had the best passing numbers, completing five of seven passes for 31 yards, but he also had a fumble. Demetrius Jones was 3-of-6 passing with an ugly 15-yard TD pass to Robby Parris. But he also overthrew a pass to tight end John Carlson that safety David Bruton intercepted and returned 35 yards for a touchdown. Jones also had a 31-yard run on a third-and-19.
Clausen was 3-of-7 passing and had a chance to be a hero. The Blue got the ball at its own 35-yard line with 2 minutes left, but his only completion was called back on a pass interference call against Carlson.
Zach Frazer was 0-of-4 passing with one interception.
"None of the four, I would say, played themselves out of contention, and that's as strong a statement as I can make there," Weis said.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep7paMMVQCQ[/youtube]

sounds like the tide are growing jealous...

wow....they beat the record of showing up for free. party!!!!

 

[Flocka]

I know when I was watching the Spring Game the only thing on my mind was Alabama, so I guess it makes sense.

 

[BB73]

cfn

Pac 10 2007 Spring Games Wrapup
...

USC - The Trojans held an intrasquad scrimmage in its final practice of the 2007 spring, one led by the hard running of tailback Chauncey Washington. He ran for only 48 yards, but averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Heisman candidate quarterback John David Booty completed three of eight tosses, but one of those was a 21-yard touchdown to tight end Fred Davis.
.
Washington - With many of the team's starters on the Purple squad, the Husky spring game was a predictable runaway as the Purple rolled over the White 44-7. Running back Louis Rankin flourished against the number two defense, registering 99 yards on 16 carries, while backup running back J.R. Hasty picked up 35 yards on ten carries against the starting Purple unit

Cont'd ...

Cont'd

 

[BB73]

cfn

SEC 2007 Spring Games Wrapup

Alabama - New head coach Nick Saban was welcomed by 92,000 plus rabid Crimson Tide fans for the annual A-Day Game - a 20-13 victory for the White squad over the Crimson. All-SEC receiver D.J. Hall nabbed five balls for 87 yards and a touchdown for the White squad and was voted the MVP of the game.

...

Florida - 47,500 fans filled Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to watch the defending national champions in the annual Orange and Blue Debut. Wide receiver Louis Murphy had 129 receiving yards, most of those from new starting quarterback Tim Tebow, to lead the Blue to a 27-20 victory.

Cont'd ...

 

[BB73]

cfn

Big 12 2007 Spring Games Wrapup
...

Nebraska – 54,000 plus filled Memorial Stadium to see the Red team crush the White squad 38-0. Former Arizona State transfer Sam Keller was nearly perfect, completing nine of his 11 throws for 185 yards and a touchdown. The White defense yielded 511 total yards to Keller and the Red offense. Don’t just hand the job to Keller quite yet. Joe Ganz has been rock-solid in practices

Oklahoma - Who needs Adrian Peterson when DeMarco Murray is toting the mail? It took Murray all of four carries to pile up 103 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead the offense to a 53-30 victory in the annual spring game in Norman. In the much ballyhooed quarterback derby, Sam Bradford was the best of the bunch, completing nine of 14 for 110 yards and a touchdown.


Texas - The Orange dominated the White 38-8 behind an effective performance by incumbent starting quarterback Colt McCoy. But, it was the play of two freshmen quarterbacks who got most of the attention. True freshman John Chiles and redshirt freshman Sherrod Harris are more Vince Young than Colt McCoy, but each one made enough plays to be the 2007 version of Tim Tebow.

Cont'd ...

 

[BB73]

A top-10 in attendance for Spring practices. Alabama's was free, and apparently Dodd doesn't seem to realize that tOSU charged $5.00. I wonder if Alabama's was on TV?

sportsline

Here is the top 10:
1. Alabama, 92,138
2. Ohio State, 75,310
3. Penn State, 71,000
4. Nebraska, 54,288
5. Notre Dame, 51,852
6. Florida, 47,500
7. Texas, 42,500
8. South Carolina, 35,153
9. Auburn, 31,757
10. Louisville, 28,000

 

[BB73]

cfn

ACC 2007 Spring Games Wrapup
...

Florida State ? Quarterbacks Drew Weatherford and Xavier Lee completed 26 of 49 passes and three touchdowns at Doak Campbell in the annual Garnet and Gold game. Under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, the two QBs led the offense to a win over the defense 29-25, but also threw four interceptions to keep the defense in the game. Basically, FSU hasn?t decided on a starting quarterback yet.

...
Miami ? The Orange beat the White in a defensive slugfest 7-0 in front of 7,000 fans in Randy Shannon?s debut as head coach in the OB. Consequently, not much was settled in the quarterback battle as Kyle Wright completed seven of 14 for 60 yards and a TD, while Kirby Freeman was eight of 19 for 117 yards and one pick. Of bigger concern was the health of RB Javarris James, who hurt his knee in the spring game. It was just a sprain and didn?t turn out to be a big deal.

Cont'd ...

 

[BB73]

cfn

Big East 2007 Spring Games Wrapup

...

Louisville ? The defense picked off All-American quarterback Brian Brohm in overtime to knock off the offense 51-45 in the debut of new head coach Steve Kragthorpe. Brohm finished with three touchdowns and four interceptions as he continued to learn Kragthorpe?s new offensive scheme. The Cardinals defense recorded four interceptions, four sacks and ten tackles for loss as it held off the Brohm-led offense. The D was in Brohm?s face all day long.
...


West Virginia ? The Gold/offense defeated the Blue/defense 58-30 as the triumvirate of quarterbacks, Pat White, Jarrett Brown and Adam Bednarik, dominated much of the action with 380 yards through the air. Brown completed 14 of 17 for 146 yards, while Bednarik was eight of 13 for 118 yards and a touchdown.

 

[Bob.Barker]

wow....they beat the record of showing up for free. party!!!!

Expect bridges to close down, lengthy YouTube videos of police escorts, and multiple births of sons named "Nick" in Tuscaloosa this weekend.