Spring
Preview
2008
Pac 10 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
Arizona
Quarterback Willie
Tuitama and the offense made nice strides this spring with the spread
offense that the offensive staff installed last season. He completed 20
of 26 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown, but he did throw one
interception during the 76 play final scrimmage. Running backs Nic
Grigsby and Glyndon Bolasky each had a rushing touchdown, while
combining for 56 yards rushing. Sterling Lewis was the defensive star
of the scrimmage, registering eight tackles and a sack.
Arizona State
They say that a tie is
like kissing your sister, but in a spring game, it’s just time to get
off the field and thank your lucky stars that no one got seriously
injured. A Thomas Weber 46 yard field goal tied the annual Maroon and
White spring game. All-Pac-10 candidate Rudy Carpenter struggled a bit
completing only seven of his 21 passes, but he did hit on a 43-yard
touchdown pass to Brandon Smith for the White team. Running back Shaun
DeWitty ran for 71 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown to lead the
Maroon squad.
California
NO REPORT
Oregon
Remember the name
LeGarrette Blount. The Perry, FL native found his way northwest and
made a significant impact on the Ducks during the annual spring game.
Led by Blount, the White defeated the Green 36-3. Blount averaged just
over 13 yards per carry on only five carries as he concluded the spring
practice session with another sterling performance. The defensive star
for the White was Casey Matthews who had 7.5 tackles, three for a loss
and two sacks.
Oregon State
It took until the
second half for something to happen, but then the White opened the can
of Big Play you-know-what on its way to a 22-3 victory. After a first
half void of touchdowns, White quarterback Lyle Moevao threw a short
swing pass to James Rodgers, who turned it into a 72-yard catch and run
for six. After three first half field goals by Justin Kahut and a short
touchdown run for running back Ryan McCants, the Rodgers long touchdown
sealed the win for the White in the annual Black and White spring game.
Stanford
The Cardinal defeated
the White 24-6 in the annual spring game as both Cardinal signal
callers, Jason Forcier and Alex Loukas, tossed touchdown passes.
Forcier threw a 33-yard touchdown to Ryan Whalen for one score, while
Loukas completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to receiver Doug Baldwin. The
versatile Loukas also caught three passes for 39 yards and ran 30 yards
on a fake punt. White quarterback Tavita Pritchard completed 12 of 28
passes for only 106 yards.
UCLA
The annual spring game
lost a little bit of luster two days prior to the game when the two
combatants for the starting quarterback position were lost for the rest
of spring on two consecutive plays. Patrick Cowan tore his ACL and is
out for the entire 2008 season, while Ben Olsen is out for the next two
months, but should be ready for fall camp. During the spring game,
quarterback Kevin Craft struggled to complete eleven of 24 passes for 95
yards, a touchdown and a pick. The defense racked up seven sacks, two
interceptions and one fumble recovery.
USC
The annual Trojan
Huddle end-of-spring intrasquad game went to overtime, a fantastic
finish to a competitive spring. The White emerged victorious 39-36 over
the Cardinal squad after receiver Travon Patterson caught a 25-yard
touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Corp. Most of the eyes in the
house were on the three quarterbacks battling for the starting
position. Mark Sanchez was stellar, completing 16 of 24 passes for 203
yards and three touchdowns, while Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain
completed six of ten for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Corp might have
had the best day of all, completing 13 of 16 passes for 158 yards and
two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
Washington
The annual Purple and
Gold game was a defensive affair with a combined 17 points scored on
both sides. The Gold escaped with a 10-7 win over the Purple after a
late touchdown pass by quarterback Ronnie Fouch. Receiver Devin Aguilar
caught a 13-yard pass from Fouch to complete the scoring and give the
Gold the victory. Purple quarterback Jake Locker had a strong day,
completing 13 of 17 passes for 159 in a losing effort.
Washington State
The final scrimmage of
the spring was a showcase for the Cougar pass catchers, led by junior
Michael Willis. 13 receivers caught passes in the final showing of the
spring and Willis led the group with six catches for 129 yards and a
touchdown. In a bid to replace former signal caller Alex Brink, senior
Gary Rogers completed 12 of 19 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns,
including the aforementioned touchdown to Willis. Receiver Reid
McEllrath joined in on the fun, catching five passes for 65 yards and a
touchdown.