Blue squad ends spring on top
The Utah State football team held the annual Blue-White spring game Saturday, with the Blue team defeating the White, 34-7.
Throughout the game, there were touchdowns of 10, 48, and 58 yards. All of which, however, came thanks to defensive players.
Defense was king, but the offense also showed promise on Friday, where fans were able to see first hand what they have to look forward to next fall.
“I feel good about where we are defensively,” head coach Mike Dennehy said. “I think those guys will stay hungry; I don’t think they’ll be satisfied; I’m excited about it.”
The winning Blue squad, mostly composed of first team players, was dominant all night. Led by defensive end Michael Gates, and linebacker Kelly Poppinga, the Blue defense did not allow the white offense to make any kind of yardage, holding them to minus twenty yards rushing, and only eight yards receiving.
Gates, who had seven sacks in three spring scrimmages, says the defense’s Rambo package now involves more linebackers blitzing, a move to get the faster guys in the backfield.
“We moved up so much [in the defensive rankings] last year, and this year we’re so much farther ahead than we were last year,” Gates said. “I think we could be first in the Sun Belt.”
Returning starting quarterback Travis Cox put the first points up on the night, with a 10-yard pass to receiver Lawrence Lovelace. Cox started off strong, completing eight of his first nine passes, and ended up 9-15, with 75 yards passing.
“We were a little inconsistent at times,” Cox said of the offense. “I would like to take back one ball, but other than that, I think we got a lot better from the first day of spring.”
The white squad returned the favor with a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown from junior linebacker Jake Stewart, followed by a kick by Justin Hamblin, making the score 7-7.
Senior cornerback Jerome Dennis showed his speed by reading a quick route and taking it 48 yards for the score.
“I read it all the way,” Dennis said. “It felt great to get the pick and take it to the house.”
The running game on both sides was nonexistent the whole game, and was made even more forgettable when tailback Tyrone McKinney collided head on with a blue defender and was treated by paramedics on the field. Fortunately, McKinney was not seriously injured on the play.
Fellow tailback Ryan Kemp scored the only rushing touchdown of the game, a one yarder with 4:38 to go in the second quarter.
“We’ve got a ways to go in our running game,” Dennehy said. “Unfortunately the guys we need to make that happen aren’t here yet.”
The receiver position has been a concern of the coaches since the departure of All-American Chris Cooley, among others. However, Friday’s scrimmage gave a few guys the chance to show their place on this team.
Senior receiver Raymond Hicks, who played in a limited role last season, was on the receiving end of the longest pass play of the day, a 69 yarder from Leon Jackson. Hicks finished the game with five receptions and 100 yards receiving.
“The offense stepped up and played together,” said Hicks.
Linebacker Nate Fredrick had the only score of the second half, picking off a pass and returning it 20 yards for a touchdown. Fredrick also recorded six solo tackles, two behind the line, and one sack for eleven yards.
“I really like this group, I like their competitiveness,” Denney said. “Defensively, we’ve got a chance to be good, I think we’re gonna be deeper.”
-bcb@cc.usu.edu
Wide Receiver Kevin Robinson goes for a one-handed catch while being pressured by the Blue squad´s Jerome Dennis during the Blue and White game Friday night (Photo by John Zsiray)