Spring
Preview
2009
ACC Spring Game Reviews
Spring Game Reviews
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The Spring Games So Far ...
Boston College
April 25 - Spurred by the play of LB Mark
Herzlich and CB Donnie Fletcher, the defense routed the offense, 47-21,
in the annual spring game. Both players had at least eight tackles and a
couple of pass breakups, helping provide the pivotal points in a unique
scoring system. On offense, Dominique Davis took the majority of snaps
at quarterback, going a pedestrian 20-of-40 for 145 yards and an
interception. On the ground, Jeff Smith led all rushers with 40 yards on
16 carries. In general, the offense was way behind the defense, lacking
execution in the running and passing game.
Clemson
In front a spring game record crowd, the White defeated the Orange,
30-13, behind the heroics of QB Kyle Parker. Before sprinting off to a
doubleheader for the Tiger baseball team, he went 13-of-21 passes for
171 yards and a score, while rushing for 27 yards and another touchdown.
It was a statement performance in the duel with Willy Korn, who went
12-of-25 for 144 yards and two interceptions. Leading the White team on
the ground was Jamie Harper, who went for 83 yards on 21 carries. Over
on the Orange side, TE Michael Palmer had a game-high five receptions
for 86 yards.
Duke
April 18 - The passing
game took center stage in the spring game, as young backup Sean Renfree
led the White team to a 24-17 victory over the Blue squad. The redshirt
freshman went 15-of-24 for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Starter Thaddeus Lewis was even sharper, finishing 17-of-23 for 257
yards and a pair of rushing scores. His preferred target was Donovan
Varner, who caught six passes for 116 yards, another indication that
last year’s solid debut was no fluke. Adam Banks made a statement in his
attempt to win one of the open linebacker jobs, collecting a game-high
eight tackles.
Florida State
Short-handed throughout the spring, the defense rose up in the Garnet &
Gold game, forcing seven turnovers for a 39-27 Gold victory. S Jamie
Robinson had a pair of interceptions, and his teammates recovered five
fumbles for a measure of redemption against the Garnet. On one of those
fumbles, LB Nigel Bradham returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Starting
QB Christian Ponder generally had a rough day, going 10-of-19 for 118
yards, a touchdown, and those two picks. On defense, end Justin Mincey
played well, making a team-high five stops and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Georgia Tech
April 18
- With starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt sidelined for precautionary
reasons, a couple of backups seized the opportunity for more playing
time in the spring game. Tevin Washington ran for a couple of scores and
threw for another, leading the Gold team to a 31-28 win over the White
team. The White’s Jaybo Shaw also had a good afternoon, scoring three
times and accounting for 263 yards of total offense. The Yellow Jackets
also bolstered its depth in the backfield, as starter Jonathan Dwyer
played sparingly to give the younger guys more reps. Louisville transfer
Anthony Allen, in particular, ran hard, leading all rushers with 69
yards for the Gold squad.
Maryland
April 25 - The Jamarr Robinson to Quintin McCree
hookup was too much for the Red team in a 34-24 win over the White team
in the annual spring game. Robinson solidified his spot as the No. 2
quarterback, finishing 12-of-21 for 253 yards, three touchdowns, and an
interception. All three scoring passes went to McCree, who finished with
four catches for 163 yards. Starting QB Chris Turner also sparkled,
going 15-of-21 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Adrian Cannon staked
his claim for additional playing time, catching five of Turner’s passes
for 99 yards and two scores.
Miami
Using a unique scoring
system designed by the coaching staff, the Miami offense spanked the
defense, 52-3, racking up more than 400 yards of total offense. The hero
on the ground was junior Damien Berry, a converted safety, who rushed
114 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown burst. Sophomore Jacory Harris
solidified his spot as the starting quarterback, going 9-of-16 passes
for 141 yards on five possessions. Sophomore Thearon Collier was the
preferred target of Harris and Taylor Cook, making a game-high five
grabs for 65 yards.
North Carolina
Looking
for improved play under center, the Heels finished spring on a high
note. The program’s three quarterbacks—T.J. Yates, Mike Paulus, and
Braden Hansen—combined to go 23-of-30 for 202 yards and a touchdown in
the annual Spring Showcase. They spread the ball around to a young corps
of receivers, led by sophomore Dwight Jones, who had three catches for
61 yards. Redshirt freshman Jamal Womble capped a solid spring by
rushing for 50 yards on seven carries. While sophomore Herman Davidson
made his move from safety to linebacker look smart, collecting six
tackles, senior end E.J. Wilson had two of the game’s three sacks.
NC State
April 18 - In
front of one of the largest crowds to ever witness a Wolfpack spring
game, the White team eked a 10-7 win over the Red squad. The final
score, however, mattered little in a game that showcased the program’s
improving situation under center. Starter Russell Wilson was predictably
sharp, connecting on 10-of-14 passes for 195 yards and a scoring strike
to Owen Spencer. Even more encouraging was the play of backup Mike
Glennon, who went 15-of-24 for 170 yards and a short touchdown toss. WR
Jarvis Williams showed signs of being ready to fulfill his potential,
catching five passes for 93 yards.
Virginia
April 18 - About 8,000 fans got their first look at Virginia’s new
no-huddle offense in a scrimmage that pitted the offense against the
defense. Three contending quarterbacks got cracks behind center, led by
last year’s starter Marc Verica, who went 14-of-19 for 148 yards, an
interception, and a touchdown to Raynard Horne. Vic Hall, who’s also a
starting cornerback, finished 11-of-16 for 98 yards and an interception.
Jameel Sewell, the starter before being suspended for 2008, was 7-of-11
for 61 yards and a pick. The competition between these three is expected
to continue in the summer.
Virginia Tech
April 25 - The Maroon-White game had a regular
season feel to it, as Antoine Hopkins returned a fumble for the decisive
touchdown, and the Maroon D stuffed QB Tyrod Taylor inside the 5 on the
final play for a 13-7 win. Taylor finished 16-of-33 for 188 yards and a
touchdown, but was upstaged on offense by young RB Ryan Williams. The
exciting redshirt freshman had a game-high 86 yards on 10 carries, while
catching two receptions for 66 yards and a score. Hopkins, another
second-year freshman, was the hero on defense, adding five tackles and
two sacks to his game-changing score.
Wake Forest
April 18 - In
a sloppy affair to close out spring, the Black team defeated the White
team, 24-14, in a 90-minute scrimmage. Starting QB Riley Skinner got
work with the White squad, going 15-of-23 for 272 yards an interception.
If the spring was any indication, he’ll be surrounded by a handful of
big-play weapons, who shined in the game. Backup RB Brandon Pendergrass
played for both sides, running for 70 yards on just seven carries. WR
Chris Givens turned a pair of handoffs into 89 yards and a touchdown,
adding three receptions for 39 yards.
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