Spring
Preview
2008
Mountain West 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
Air Force
NO REPORT
BYU
The BYU final spring
practice featured a little old and a little new. Well, old isn’t the
right term, but let’s just say experienced. After the “two deep” roster
got some 7-on-7 and team work done, younger players, deeper on the depth
chart, were able to get on the field and prove their wares. Running
back J.J DiLuigi had a strong day, accounting for 55 yards total offense
and quarterback Kurt McEuen completed 70% of his throws for 70 yards.
The coaches liked what they saw throughout the day, including the work
of true freshman receiver Spencer Hafoka.
Colorado State
Defense wins
championships. Well, it does. And, spring games too. At least in Fort
Collins, that is. In the first spring game under the watch of new head
coach Steve Fairchild, the defense picked off the offense four times on
its way to a 49-35 win over the offense. Ty Whittier, Nick Oppenneer,
Gary Stecklein and Matt Wright all came away with interceptions against
the team’s quarterbacks to help lead the way in the spring game
victory. The offense finished the spring behind the defense, but
Fairchild likes the progress he saw in his team this spring.
New Mexico
In the annual
Cherry-Silver spring game, the Cherry dominated the Silver 35-7. Many
of the team’s projected starters wore Cherry, including receiver
Jermaine McQueen who made many forget about former star Marcus Smith who
was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens. McQueen piled up 138 yards
receiving, including a 79 yard touchdown, while star running back Rodney
Ferguson returned to rush for 58 yards and a score. The Cherry defense
gave up only 109 yards to the Silver, 77 of those yards on one play.
San
Diego State
Offensive troubles and
fine defensive play highlighted the team’s annual Red-Black spring
game. The Aztec offense was only able to generate a field goal and a
late touchdown against the defense, as the quarterbacks struggled to
replace NFL draftee Kevin O’Connell. Juco star, and expected starter,
Ryan Lindley threw for the only touchdown on the day, but completed only
one other pass to finish the day two of seven with the touchdown and a
pick. Linebacker Miles Burris led the defense with three tackles for a
loss and a sack.
TCU
For years in spring
practice, the first team defense has dominated the first team offense,
often holding them scoreless in the process. That being said, the
offense scored a huge moral victory by putting one in the end zone
during the annual spring game. Sophomore quarterback Andy Dalton hit
tight end Shae Reagan for a 20 yard touchdown for the offense, putting a
smile on head coach Gary Patterson’s face as spring practice concluded
in Fort Worth.
UNLV
The Rebels beat UNLV
21-3 in the team’s annual spring game. The Rebels consisted of the
first team offense and defense, while UNLV consisted of the second team
units. The Rebel defense kept UNLV out of the end zone, playing
aggressively under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Dennis
Therrell. On the offensive side of the ball, the quarterbacks vying for
starting honors played well. Omar Clayton hit nine of eleven throws for
108 yards and two touchdowns, while Travis Dixon completed an 89 yard
touchdown throw.
Utah
The annual Red-White
game didn’t have much of the panache of previous years with plenty of
starters ‘resting’, but it was entertaining nonetheless. The White beat
the Red 18-10 behind the performance by Chad Manis. The quarterback
threw for one touchdown and ran for a pair of touchdowns as well,
accounting for all the Red points on the night. The defensive star of
the game was Lisiate Leota who stuffed the stat sheet – four tackles,
two for a loss and an interception.
Wyoming
The ones dominated the
twos throughout the annual Wyoming spring game. The number one offense
ran roughshod over the number two defense, while the number one defense
shut down the number two offense. On offense, running back Devin Moore
ran for 72 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Overall, the defense
racked up ten tackles for loss and four sacks on the day, giving up only
two scores in eight drives.