Spring
Preview
2008
Conference USA 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
East
East Carolina
The Pirates didn’t get
much work done during their annual Purple-Gold game as a severe weather
warning shut down the contest at halftime with the Pirates defeating
East Carolina 13-3. However, the team’s quarterbacks did play well in
the shortened contest. Patrick Pinkney and Rob Kass combined for 175
yards passing as the two continued the battle for the starting
position. Pinkney threw for the only touchdown of the day, a 38-yarder
to Darryl Freeney.
Marshall
The Green had its way
with the White 44-8 in the annual Green and White spring game. Green
running back Terrell Edwards was the “one” in the one-two offensive
combination, while quarterback Mark Cann was the “two”. When Cann
wasn’t completing 16 of 21 passes for 181 yards, Edwards was running for
touchdowns, three of them to be exact. Edwards averaged 5.5 yards per
carry on 14 carries as the Green dominated throughout the game. Running
back Kelvin Turner played for both squads, but when he put on the green,
he ran for 85 yards on five carries and a touchdown.
Memphis
The annual Blue-Gray
spring game wasn’t a sexy affair, more like a typical offense-defense
scrimmage, but it was the final chance this spring to find a starting
quarterback. Arkelon Hall had perhaps the most productive day, throwing
for 60 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing for 51 yards and a
couple of touchdowns. Running back Curtis Steele was named the game’s
offensive MVP as he rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries,
while defensive lineman Steven Turner was the game’s defensive MVP.
Southern Miss
It’s been a long while
since Golden Eagle fans have seen an explosive offense on the field, but
new head coach Larry Fedora worked this spring to provide just that,
especially in the team’s annual Black and Gold spring game. The Black
team defeated the Gold 31-14, led by potential All-American running back
Damion Fletcher, who accounted for 185 yards total offense and a
touchdown. Quarterback Austin Davis was another key figure for the
Black as he completed 17 of 23 for 207 yards and ran for a touchdown.
UAB
The Blazer offense and
defense went head-to-head in the final session of the spring. In a four
12-minute quarter scrimmage, the two units did battle with, well, fine
play on both sides. The coaching staff left the scrimmage happy with
number one quarterback Joe Webb who completed 14 of 27 passes for 173
yards and two touchdowns in only one half of play. On the defensive
side of the ball, sophomore defensive back Brock Ferguson picked off
Blazer quarterbacks twice during the scrimmage.
UCF
In the first spring
game played in Brighthouse Networks Stadium, UCF beat the Golden Knights
16-7. UCF’s only offensive touchdown, the only one of the day on either
side, came on a 32 yard toss from Joe Weatherford to receiver Rocky
Ross. Weatherford finished the day seven of 15 for 148 yards and a
touchdown. The defense was strong on both sides, yielding only one
touchdown all day and registering one in the process. Golden Knight
defender Darin Baldwin scooped up a fumbled and ran 19 yards to give the
Golden Knights their only score on the day.
West
Houston
Nothing like getting
people’s attention immediately. New head coach Kevin Sumlin took the
reins for this Houston team after Art Briles moved on to Baylor and his
offense made a significant statement during the team’s annual spring
game. The offense defeated the defense 69-34 and generated 660 yards of
total offense in the process. Quarterback Blake Joseph made the most of
his reps in the new offense, completing 37 of 41 passes for 421 yards
and five touchdowns. 2007 CUSA Freshman of the Year Case Keenum had a
similarly good day, going 28 of 35 for 205 yards and a pair of
touchdowns.
Rice
The annual Blue-Gray
scrimmage was a nail-biter as the offense won on the final play of the
game, an 18-yard pass from quarterback Chase Clement to receiver Tommy
Henderson. That was enough to give the offense the final point in a
44-43 nail-biter over the defense. Think Stableford scoring system and
you’ll understand. Clement was strong, yet again, completing 14 of 19
passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, in addition to 69 yards rushing on
ten carries.
SMU
The June Jones era,
spring 2008 version, ended with a spring scrimmage in front of nearly
3,500 fans, including 250 area high school recruits. The competition
for the quarterback position increased, as former starter Justin Willis
is no longer on the team. Redshirt freshmen Logan Turner and Daniel
Miller looked solid in 7-on-7 and were a combined 15 of 20 during the
team’s full scrimmage.
Tulane
No Matt Forte? No
problem. In the team’s annual spring contest, sophomore tailback Andre
Anderson did his best Forte imitation, rushing for 136 yards on 19
carries and a touchdown. Although Anderson was solid throughout the
day, the quarterbacks did struggle with their consistency in the game.
Scott Elliott led the team with 80 yards passing, but only completed
four of eleven passes. Joe Kemp was five of eight passing for only 58
yards, but did throw the only touchdown on the day.
Tulsa
Who's going to replace QB Paul Smith? While it might take a while before
the issue is settled, David Johnson might have a stranglehold on the job
after completing 11 of 19 passes for 198 yards and two scores, while
Clark Harrell was just as strong completing ten of 13 throws. The
wild-card will be Jacob Bower, even though he's the likely third man in
the mix, after doing a little of everything well and running for two
touchdowns. The spring game basically solved nothing; the derby will
last until the fall.
UTEP
The annual Blue and
Orange game wasn’t an offensive showcase, in the slightest, but it sure
did provide some excitement. The Blue defense knocked down a last
second pass in the end zone to preserve a 10-3 victory over the Orange.
Quarterback Trevor Vittatoe took another step in the right direction
with a strong performance. He completed 12 of 22 passes for 140 yards
and one touchdown. If not for Vittatoe, the offenses would’ve done next
to nothing as the defenses held the offenses to 37 yards rushing.
