By John
Harris
-
2007 Preseason Lookaheads -
Conference USA
East Carolina
– In the annual spring game in Greenville, ECU beat the Pirates 20-13 on
a 77 yard throw from quarterback Rob Kass to receiver Jamar Bryant.
Kass completed six of his 11 throws for ECU and two touchdowns,
including the aforementioned throw to Bryant. Running back Chris
Johnson ran for 93 yards on 20 carries for victorious ECU.
Houston – The Kevin Kolb era ended in December after four tremendous
seasons; so many of those in attendance at the Red and White spring game
focused on starting quarterback candidates Blake Joseph and Case Keenum.
Joseph was more accurate, completing 16 of 23 for 148 yards, while
Keenum completed only four throws. However, two of those throws from
Keenum went for scores – a 44 yard toss to running back Chris Gilbert
and a 60 yarder to receiver Donnie Avery.
Marshall – After a pick-six by White defensive back Chuck
Roberts, the Green team registered 43 unanswered points to win the
annual Green-White spring game 43-6. The offensive star for the
victorious White team was tight end Cody Slate, who had six catches for
157 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Bernard Morris bounced back from
that initial pick and completed 11 of 19 for 199 yards and two
touchdowns.
Memphis – Defense early, offense late. The annual Blue and Gray
spring game was the best of both worlds. Defensive MVP Greg Terrell had
two sacks and three tackles for a loss as his defense took control of
the game early, but the offense, led by quarterback Martin Hankins and
receiver Carlos Singleton, scored three times late in the game.
Singleton caught two touchdown passes on two of those late touchdown
drives.
Rice – As head coach David Bailiff made his debut in the annual
Blue and Gray spring game, the Gray/defense made its presence known late
in the game, coming up with three key sacks to beat the Blue/offense
26-18. The offense was led by a healthy Chase Clement who completed 17
of 27 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown.
SMU –
The Red squad put up 31 first half points in a 31-7 victory over the
Blue in the annual Red-Blue scrimmage in Dallas. Quarterbacks Justin
Willis and Corey Slater threw for four touchdowns to lead the Red, while
wide receiver Zach Zimmerman was on the receiving end of two of those
touchdown throws. Defenders Adrian Dizer and Anthony Sowe had two sacks
apiece to lead the defensive effort.
Tulane – The Bob Toledo era in New Orleans got off to a solid
start with the final spring scrimmage at the school’s on-campus
facility. Running back Ade Tuyo provided a boost to the offense rushing
for 9.0 yards per carry and the only touchdown of the day – a 44 yard
highlight reel jaunt. The defense had its moments as well, registering
five sacks and a blocked field goal.
Tulsa – New head coach Todd Graham may have once been Tulsa’s
defensive coordinator, but it was the offense that showed off in the
annual spring game. Led by All-CUSA candidate Paul Smith, who threw for
273 yards and three touchdowns, the offense dominated the defense 88-35,
scoring seven touchdowns and gaining 635 total yards in the process.
UTEP –
In a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the score indicated, the White
hammered the Blue 60-0 in the annual Blue-White spring game. The White
was led by quarterback Trevor Vittatoe, who threw two touchdowns against
the Blue defense in his bid to replace departed quarterback Jordan
Palmer. Running back Marcus Thomas led the way on the ground for the
White, picking up 69 yards and two touchdowns.
UAB –
The Blazers were able to stay dry during their spring game, and the game
stayed competitive as a result. The number one offense/number two
defense beat the number two offense/number one defense 22-16 in a game
that featured the on-going starting quarterback duel between Joseph Webb
and Sam Hunt. The results were mixed at game’s end – Webb completed
less than 50% of his throws, while Hunt threw three picks.
UCF – In the final scrimmage of the 2007 spring, the Knights’
defense put on a show for the fans in attendance. The defense pounced
on four offensive turnovers and sacked Knight quarterbacks three times,
as the offense struggled holding on to the ball. Quarterback Kyle
Israel completed 17 of his 34 throws for 113 yards, a touchdown and a
pick.