Blue-White Spring Game

The Blue-White spring game on the Penn State campus turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The game began with the first play from scrimmage by the White team (the second team offense) going for an 80-yard TD pass. The Blue defense would settle in after that controlling the game for the next several possessions while gathering in 2 interceptions. Near the end of the first half, the White team got rolling and added 2 TDs to their total score.

Sophomore QB Brad Green finished with 280 yards and 3 TDs on the day. The MVP of the White team was clearly true sophomore wideout Nick Campbell who compiled 6 catches for 149 yards and 2 TDs on the day. Ironically, Campbell also amassed 5 catches for 128 yards and 2 TDs for the Blue team as their slot receiver. The 6’6” pass catcher may have a chance to make the starting lineup this fall after that performance.

With a surprising halftime deficit, the Blue team went straight to the air in the second half. Senior QB Tom Richard, a projected first round pick in next year’s NFL draft, put on a show throwing for 278 yards and 3 TDs without throwing an interception. Coach Davis commented on his veteran QB’s great accuracy, but voiced concerns with the arm strength, an issue that has plagued Richard throughout his career and could be an issue in the NFL.

While it was sophomore OLB Drew Brock that led the Blue team in sacks with 3, clearly the most dominant force on the first team D was senior defensive end Matthew Nelson. Nelson had 2 sacks and was constantly in the in the face of the QB, often creating havoc on the o-line that led to his teammates’ production. The Blue had six sacks to the White’s three. Coach Davis was both impressed and concerned with the fact that neither team fumbled the ball. He had anticipated some forced fumbles from his first team D, but the lack of a running game for either team really contributed to this stat.

The final score was Blue 63, White 37.

Red-White Spring Game

The Red-White spring game at Youngstown State began as a defensive affair, with the solid Red defense holding the White offense to just 6 points on three first downs in the first half. The White added a long, 70-yard TD pass by senior QB Bobby Howard on the final play of regulation to finish their half with 12 points. The Red offense knew it didn’t have to do much to make that lead stand up.

The White defense, comprised of the same players as the Red defense, wasn’t about to give the game away. Despite the struggles of the White offense, the Red defense actually stayed with about 6 points for almost half of the second half. The Red offense was extremely pass-heavy as new head coach Wasderf Jikolo was looking to find out how sophomore and projected starter at QB Maurice Adams would handle the new spread offense that Jikolo had installed. Previous coach Butch Davis had run a more pro-style balanced offense in his four years at the school.

Adams struggled with the new offense early, getting sacked and failing to find open receivers against the very talented first team defense. But Adams eventually settled down and got on quite a roll finishing with 211 yards and 1 TD. He threw 2 interceptions, but the second came on a hail mary on the final play of regulation. The running game with not effective at all as star tailback Roderick Sherman finished with just 24 yards on 6 carries, but this was not a concern for Coach Jikolo. He said he expects the run game to be there day 1, but the passing game needed time to gel.

Possibly the most entertaining part of the game was the matchup between superstar corner Ryan Arrington and projected #1 WR Kenneth Webb in the second half. The results would actually show that Webb in fact got the better of the team’s best defender compiling 5 catches for 89 yards and a TD. Sophomore WR Philip Copeland may have sealed the #2 job with his 4 catch, 36 yard performance. His competition, junior Vincent Robinson, had no catches and a drop.

The defensive MVP honors went to end Jamar Collins who finished the game with three total sacks and four tackles. Sophomore MLB Marcus Adams finished with six total tackles, leading the game, and 2 sacks. Safety Brandon Royal and corner Travis Brunner, both seniors, each recorded two interceptions for the White and Red, respectively.

The final score was Red 60, White 28.

Cutting Players

The following players were released by Penn State to reach the NCAA requirement of 70 men on the roster (their overall rating is given in parentheses):

1. Senior QB Chance Butler (80)
2. Sophomore QB Chad Bowen (78)
3. Junior HB Scott Berry (78)
4. Freshman WR Phil Payne (70)
5. Freshman RT Drew Monts (74)
6. Senior RG Donte Carter (78)
7. Freshman LE Randy Barrett (74)
8. Freshman DT Allen Harris (72)
9. Junior DT Jacob Watkins (76)
10.  Freshman OLB Ron Holmes (74)
11.  Freshman CB Joe Allen (70)
12.  Freshman SS Jared Mason (72, four-star recruit 2010)
13.  Freshman WR Brian Stephens (70, three-star recruit 2010)
14.  Sophomore K Derrick Malone (72)

The following players were released by Youngstown State to reach the NCAA requirement of 70 men on the roster (their overall rating is given in parentheses along with recruiting information):

1. Junior QB Adam Smith (68, walk-on 2007)
2. Freshman HB Derrick Vaughn (59, two-star recruit 2010)
3. Junior FB Dustin Singleton (74, walk-on 2007)
4. Sophomore TE Fred Wilson (70, two-star recruit 2008)
5. Sophomore LG Mike Clement (68, two-star recruit 2008)
6. Sophomore C Jeremy Harris (59, walk-on 2009)
7. Sophomore LE David Jones (68, two-star recruit 2008)
8. Senior ROLB David Jones (70, two-star recruit 2008)
9. Freshman LOLB Bryan Durbin (65, two-star recruit 2010)
10.  Freshman MLB Joe Day (72, three-star recruit 2010)
11.  Sophomore CB Brian Dunn (72, two-star recruit 2008)
12.  Sophomore FS J.R. Reynolds (72, two-star recruit 2008)
13.  Senior SS Loren Battle (76, two-star recruit 2008)
14.  Freshman MLB Cedric Bomar (68, two-star recruit 2010)
15.  Freshman MLB George Mendoza (70, three-star recruit 2009)

The only player seemingly missing from the list here is Sam Arrington, the true freshman brother of Ryan Arrington. Sources say that despite Sam’s weak rating of 65 at the position, his versatility (can play quarterback in a crunch), speed, and bloodline are the reason he is still around. Davis doesn’t deny that Sam being Ryan’s brother played a role in the decision.