Spring
Preview
2008
Big Ten Spring Game Reviews
Spring Game Reviews
- ACC |
Big East |
Big Ten |
Big 12 |
C-USA |
Ind.
- MAC |
M-West |
Pac 10 |
SEC |
Sun Belt |
WAC
By
John
Harris
Illinois
Even without former
star running back Rashard Mendenhall in the fold, the offense still came
out on top in the annual spring game scrimmage 38-31. Without his
former backfield mate to take some of the pressure off of him in the
running game, quarterback Juice Williams threw the ball 31 times,
completing 17 of them, for 210 yards, while backup Eddie McGee hit on
eight of 14 throws, including the only passing touchdown on the day.
Expectedly, the run game wasn’t as successful as the Illini defense
racked up 15 tackles for a loss.
Indiana
The annual Cream and
Crimson spring game scrimmage had a little controversy at the end as the
Cream (offense) was given one final play from the ten-yard line down by
a point. Quarterback Ben Chappell threw a touchdown to Collin Taylor
for the 36-33 win over the Crimson (defense). The Crimson picked off
four passes on the day, turning in a solid effort that should’ve
resulted in a win. Chappell got the most work under center, completing
24 of 38 for 169 yards and the aforementioned touchdown throw to Taylor
(two picks as well).
Iowa
A little rain never
hurt anybody, right? The annual Coca-Cola Football Spring Game had its
share of drizzle throughout, but it didn’t get in the way of the
Hawkeyes getting some work done in the final spring scrimmage of the
season. Although quarterback Jake Christensen played well, Hawkeye fans
got a chance to see tight end Tony Moeaki and receiver Andy Brodell
healthy – a welcome sight for the black and yellow. Christensen
completed ten of 17, including a touchdown to Trey Stross, the only
Hawkeye to hit paydirt.
Michigan
If a spring game
happens and no one’s there, did it really happen? It was a closed
scrimmage.
Michigan State
The Green defeated the
White 23-21 in the annual spring game behind the great play of the “new
Devin Thomases” – Mark Dell and B.J Cunningham. The two unknown
receivers, well for the time being anyway, combined for 12 receptions,
217 yards and a touchdown to help the Green to the two point win. But,
Chris D. Rucker isn’t about to let those two have all the fun. He
caught three passes and two of them went for six – a 55- and 29-yard
reception.
Minnesota
Year two just has to be
better than year one, right? RIGHT?!? Well, if this spring is any
indication, Tim Brewster’s second year should be a bit better. The
Gopher offense beat the defense 14-0 behind the leadership and
versatility of quarterback Adam Weber. All he did was complete ten of
14 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for a touchdown as
well. Kevin Mannion and Harold Howell recorded interceptions in a
losing effort for the defense.
Northwestern
Tailback Omar Conteh
had the chance to tote the mail and made it worth his while. All he did
was rush for 111 yards on 16 carries, including a 41-yard touchdown
run. As starting quarterback C.J. Bacher resting much of the game,
backup quarterback Mike Kafka filled in admirably, in particular in the
first half. He completed seven of 13 passes for 70 yards and a
touchdown. The defense played better in the second half, holding the
offense without a visit to the end zone.
Ohio State
Over
76,000 people packed the ‘Shoe to watch the Scarlet beat the Gray 20-7
in the annual spring game. All-Big Ten candidate Brian Hartline was the
offensive star for the Scarlet team, catching six passes for 82 yards,
half of quarterback Todd Boeckman’s 12 completions. A 48-yard toss from
Boeckman to Hartline put the Scarlet offense in the position for the
first touchdown of the day. Dan Herron hit paydirt on a three-yard
touchdown run to seal the deal for the Scarlet team on the rain filled
day in Columbus.
Penn State
73,000 filled Beaver
Stadium for the annual Blue and White spring game, setting a record for
spring game attendance. The Blue team left with a 27-14 victory, led by
quarterbacks Darryl Clark and Pat Devlin. The quarterback battle
manifested itself this spring as Clark’s versatility and Devlin’s
confidence were on full display. The two combined to go 13 of 21 for
166 yards and three touchdowns. The White jumped to a quick 7-0 lead
after running back Stephfon Green took one 57 yards to the house, but
the Blue rode the play of Clark and Devlin to a spring game win.
Purdue
The Gold won the fourth
quarter and, in so doing, won the annual Black and Gold game at Ross-Ade
28-14 over the Black. Quarterbacks Joey Elliott and Justin Siller
accounted for two touchdowns each to lead the Gold to the win. Elliott
outshone his All-Big Ten counterpart Curtis Painter, completing 21 of
his 27 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Painter completed
eleven of 19 passes for 102 yards in spot play. Siller’s two touchdowns
capped the scoring for the Gold in the fourth, including a 12-yard toss
to running back Dan Dierking, who also had 88 yards rushing on the day.
Wisconsin
With most of the
starters playing for the Cardinal team, the outcome of the annual
Cardinal and White game was predictable – a Cardinal 28-3 win.
Quarterback Allan Evridge finally has a starting job and finished the
game seven of 12 for 137 yards, but with one interception. Running back
Lance Smith ran for just under 100 yards, but split time with both
Cardinal and White throughout the game. Head coach Bret Bielema was
happy with a thin defensive unit that only gave up two touchdowns on the
day.