Spring
Preview
2009
Sun Belt 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
The Spring Games So Far ...
Arkansas State
April 10 – In a
modified scrimmage set up to work on different things, Corey Leonard was
strong completing 11-of-16 passes for 99 yards while the passing game
was spread out among several receivers. Backup Ryan Aplin was sharp
completing 9-of-12 passes for 91 yards. Stepping up into a bigger role
for the running game was redshirt freshman Don Jones, who ran 15 times
for 82 yards and two scores. Even so, he’s not expected to unseat Reggie
Arnold as the No. 1 back. Demario Davis dominated for the defense coming
up with seven tackles and two tackles for loss with a fumble recovery.
Florida Atlantic
April 11 – The offense ripped apart the defense in a 42-12 win in the
modified scoring system. However, things weren’t always smooth as backup
QB Jeff VanCamp completed just 6-of-13 passes for 77 yards and Graham
Wilbert completed 7-of-19 passes for 70 yards. The offense spent the
time using several different players to get them work with four
quarterbacks and 12 running backs seeing time. The star of the attack
was Avionne Rolle who tore off a 70-yard score as part of his 10-carry,
95-yard day.
Florida
International
April 4 – The defense might have been put together
with backups thanks to a slew of injuries to the starters, but it still
beat the offense 43-21. The offensive line couldn’t handle the pass
rush, but there were good moments for the O with Paul McCall completing
14-of-22 passes for 202 yards and Wesley Carroll, the transfer from
Mississippi State completing 11-of-17 passes for 110 yards and a score
while showing good mobility.
Middle Tennessee
April 18
– The White team got the steak with a 35-17 win over the Blue led by
Dwight Dasher’s 17-of-23, 144-yard passing day. He also tore off a
21-yard touchdown run. Brent Burnette had a strong day for the Blue team
completing 18-of-27 passes for 157 yards and two scores, while Chris
McClover closed out a good spring by catching ten passes for 69 yards
and a score for the White team. However, the star of the show turned out
to be Jamari Lattimore on the White team with eight tackles, three
sacks, four tackles for loss and a 40-yard interception return for a
score for the White.
North Texas
April 4 – The North beat the South 15-0 highlighted
by a big day from Cam Montgomery, who ran for 55 yards and a score.
Riley Dodge, the son of the head coach and the star recruit of last
year’s class, completed 19-of-24 passes for 94 yards with an
interception, while backup Nathan Tune completed 11-of-21 throws for 127
yards.
UL Lafayette
April 4 – The offense beat the defense 27-26 thanks to a last-second
35-yard field goal from Bret Baer. Quarterbacks Chris Masson, who
completed 12-of-15 passes for 134 yards and a score in the second half
alone, and Blaine Gautier, who completed 10-of-13 passes for 83 yards
with a pick, each led the way for
late scores in the comeback over the defense, while WR Richie Falgout
caught seven passes for 72 yards and a score. Even so, the coaches have
said Brad McGuire, who was out with a hernia, is still the No. 1 option.
It’s going to be an interesting battle all fall. In an attempt to
replace Tyrell Fenroy, Undrea Salis has been the team’s top runner and
showed off his skills in the scrimmage with 61 yards.
UL Monroe
March 20 – The
defense beat the offense 48-46 in an exciting mid-spring ball scrimmage.
The offense got strong days from Rodney Lovett, who ran for 55 yards,
and QB Zach Rhodes, who ran for 43 more and completed 8-of-15 passes for
101 yards and a score. However, it was Trey Revell who established
himself as the man to beat completing 10-of-20 passes for 89 yards. As
good as the quarterbacks were, and with a good day from the defense, one
of the big key was the kicking of Radi Jabour, who hit three shots from
42 yards out and a fourth from 24 yards away. Drew Bernhardy led the
defense with nine stops.
Western Kentucky
April 25 – The White team (the offense) beat the
Red (the defense) 68-36 with a made-up scoring system. The team couldn’t
play a normal scrimmage with a slew of injuries being the main problem.
The quarterback situation got the most attention with Kawaun Jakes
completing 12-of-18 throws for 131 yards, and Marcus Vasquez completing
8-of-9 passes for 115 yards and a score. The two redshirt freshmen
played well, while senior Brandon Smith only hit on 3-of-9 passes for 59
yards. Defensively, Johnathan Scott looked like one of the bright new
stars making two sacks.