Panthers, Spiders and Tribe Close Spring Seasons
Georgia State ended its spring practices earlier this month, while both Richmond and William and Mary held spring games Saturday to mark the end of spring practices. Below is a recap of the Panthers' final scrimmage of the spring season. Richmond and William and Mary's spring game recaps are also posted below.
ATLANTA (March 31, 2012) -- In Georgia State's annual Spring Football Scrimmage, the Panther offense edged the defense, 15-10, Saturday afternoon at the GSU Practice Complex.
The offense-versus-defense format utilizes a scoring system in which the offense scores in the traditional way, and the defense earns points for turnovers, tackles for loss, and three-and-out stops.
GSU's three quarterbacks shared the reps, and each had his moments, but the defense held its own despite missing 14 players, including several injured starters.
"I was very, very pleased," said first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Midget. "The guys we had stepped up and accepted the challenge."
Both Midget and head coach Bill Curry praised senior Qwontez Mallory, working at defensive end for the first time this spring after moving from linebacker. Mallory had a pair of sacks in the scrimmage.
Curry also gave kudos to freshman linebacker Kyle Vorster, redshirt freshman defensive tackle David Huey, who recently moved there from the offensive line, and walk-on linebacker Dillon LiVecche.
As for the offense, Curry noted that the Panthers' installation of an up-tempo, no-huddle system is progressing better than expected.
Working primarily with the first offense against the first defense, redshirt freshman Ben McLane quarterback completed seven of 11 passes for 82 yards and directed a touchdown drive on the first possession. The former state championship quarterback for Brookwood High School hit Danny Williams for completions of 15 and 25 yards and found Albert Wilson for 35 yards down to the 13-yard line, setting up Parris Lee's seven-yard scoring run.
Junior Kelton Hill, who started the final five games of last season, was 3-for-8 for 43 yards, including the only touchdown pass on a ball that was tipped by D.L. Stephens into the hands of tight end Drew Pearson, who raced for the 28-yard touchdown. Junior Bo Schlechter was 10-for-17 for 105 yards.
Starting running back Donald Russell did not participate as the coaches elected to get a look at other backs. Lee, the junior from Jacksonville, had five carries for 22 yards and the touchdown. Senior Rosevelt Watson, coming off a 2011 knee injury, carried six times for 34 yards, and sophomore Rendell Wilder had 35 yards on four attempts. Senior Malcolm Smith added four carries for 17 yards.
Offensive coordinator John Bond saw positives in his unit but continues to harp on consistency, especially from his three quarterbacks.
"I know I sound like a broken record, but I'm looking for consistency," he said. "We've got to eliminate the mistakes--penalties, missed throws, dropped balls and turnovers-to be the kind of offense we want to be."
The crowd of more than 600 enjoyed the intimate setting at the Panthers' practice facility as Curry wore a microphone during the scrimmage to describe the action and interact with fans.
The Panthers conclude spring practice with four final practices next week, scheduled for Tuesday through Friday at 8 a.m. each day. Georgia State opens the 2012 season on Thursday, Aug. 30 against South Carolina State at the Georgia Dome.
For more on the Georgia State Panthers' spring scrimmage logon to georgiastatesports.com.
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. (April 14, 2012) - The Richmond Spiders football team closed out the spring portion of its 2012 season on Saturday with its annual Spring Game at Robins Stadium. The Defense earned a 45-26 victory over the Offense using a modified scoring system.
Highlighting the first half for the Offense was rising redshirt freshman running back Dominique Miller, who finished the half with five carries for 25 yards. Miller had three consecutive first downs in the final minutes of the second quarter, including a 5-yard reception from rising redshirt sophomore quarterback Michael Strauss.
Strauss would score the game's lone touchdown with a two-yard run to close that same drive in the second quarter. He would also turn in a 17-yard toss to rising junior wide receiver J.R. Riddick earlier in the quarter.
Rising redshirt senior defensive back Cooper Taylor dominated on defense in the opening half, tallying two tackles and a pass breakup to go with an interception late in the half to hand the Defense a 22-19 lead heading into intermission.
Taylor's first-half display would be a sign of things to come after intermission, as the Defensive would continue to pull away in the second half.
Rising redshirt sophomore defensive back Reggie Barnette extended the led to 34-20 with his third-quarter interception of Strauss, with rising sophomore defensive back Justin Grant following suit down the stretch by picking off rising redshirt senior John Laub.
Barnette led the Defense with 10 tackles on the day, which included four unassisted stops. Taylor tallied six tackles, five of which were unassisted, with Grant and rising redshirt sophomore defensive back DeShawn Holmes each securing six stops in the game.
Miller finished with 42 yards on 12 carries, while Laub and rising junior wide receiver Ben Edwards each had 19 yards on three carries. Ponder wrapped up the day with 32 yards on three receptions to help the Offense's cause.
Kamin connected on his only field goal attempt of the afternoon, a 24-yard kick in the second quarter. Hinshaw converted the only point-after attempt of the game following Strauss' two-yard touchdown run.
Laub finished the game 8-of-19 for 58 yards with a pair of interceptions. Strauss completed 5-of-11 for 49 yards and one interception, while White was 5-of-15 for 33 yards.
During halftime of Saturday's game, first-year head coach Danny Rocco handed out the Spring Awards. Taylor received the Weight Room Champion Award, while rising redshirt sophomore linebacker Eric Wright was named Most Improved Defensive Player and rising redshirt junior Sam Roller was selected Most Improved Offensive Player. Taylor and Laub were voted as captains for the 2012 season, with additional team captains set to be named at the conclusion of summer practices.
Richmond opens its 2012 season at Virginia on Sept. 1, with the home-opener set for the following Saturday against Gardner-Webb. Stay updated on all the latest Spider Football news and videos on the team's Spring Practice Central page.
For more on the Richmond Spiders' spring season logon to richmondspiders.com.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (April 14, 2012) - The William and Mary football team concluded its spring practice season with the annual Green and Gold Game before a crowd of approximately 1,500 fans at Zable Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Players on both sides of the ball provided a number of highlights, as the offense scored a pair of touchdowns and converted four-of-five field goal attempts, while the defense totaled six interceptions and three sacks.
Quarterback Brent Caprio completed 9-of-20 passes for a team-high 103 yards, while Michael Graham threw a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Bo Revell.
Running back Meltoya Jones rushed for a team-high 27 yards on five carries and recorded a 6-yard touchdown run, while Keith McBride totaled 20 yards on four carries.
Wideout Sean Ballard was the team's leading receiver with three catches for 47 yards, while Tre McBride totaled three receptions for 43 yards.
Defensively, cornerback Ryan Smith was one of five players to record an interception, as he came up with a pair of picks. Safety Ivan Tagoe, linebacker Jabrel Mines, cornerback DeAndre Houston-Carson and linebacker Jake Wasko also registered interceptions.
Defensive end Quincey September had an impressive afternoon and earned sack, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. Defensive end Braxton Hicks and linebacker Matthew Pocta also posted sacks.
Placekicker/punter John Carpenter was outstanding on special teams and converted four-of-five field goal attempts, including a long of 53 yards.
At the completion of the game, the team announced the captains for the 2012 season (as derived from a team vote) with a pair of players garnering the honor - linebacker Jabrel Mines and safety Brian Thompson.
Another major team award was announced on Saturday, as offensive lineman Trevor Springman was selected as the recipient of the John A. Stewart Winter Warrior Award, which is given annually to the player, or players, who best exemplify the qualities of dedication, effort and achievement that defined Stewart's career at the College. Awardees are judged on their improvements both on the field and in the off-season training program.
For more on the William and Mary Tribe's spring season logon to tribeathletics.com.