2011 Spring Games

Miami – The Green (second) Team took a very conservative approach in the first half, and basically got killed in the game. Senior WR Corey Lee really impressed the Miami coaching staff with his 6 catch, 134 yard, 3 TD performance that included an 80 yard TD reception. No one really stood out on defense in the game, as it was a team effort in the first half and a poor effort in the second. Coach Black said he was encouraged with his players’ grasp of the new system, but said they still have “a ways to go” before they’ll be game ready.

Penn State – The story in this game was redshirt freshman Erik Wilson getting the start at QB for the first team. Wilson and junior Brad Green will be battling for the starting QB job up until the season starts, and both performed well in this game Green had a conservative gameplan and finished 4-5 for 45 yards, no TDs or picks. Wilson, on the other hand, was used extensively and finished 13-22 for 261 yards, 2 TDs and 2 picks. The coaches were impressed with his phenomenal arm strength, but were a little concerned about his decision making. The play of the game was made by the player of the game, WR David Patterson of the first team. Patterson (5 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD) made a leaping, one-handed catch on the sideline over the defender who was in good position, then turned up field and took it the distance for an 80-yard TD. No player on defense stood out enough to earn an MVP award for the game.

Troy – The first team defense came to play in this one, shutting the second team offense down to just 10 first half points, then killing the first team offense in the second half. The second half started very poorly for the offense as they turned the ball over three times on interceptions and once on downs, and faced a fourth and 27 from their own 5 yard line with under 2 minutes to play and a 27-18 deficit. Doug Moore, the projected starting QB, had to scramble to his right and throw up a prayer, but the prayer was answered by senior WR Bill Burgess who made the first of his 4 catches on that final drive. After picking up the first down, the Cardinal team marched down and scored a TD on the White team, giving Cardinal the 30-27 lead. They would add another pair of first downs on the final possession to win 34-27. Burgess earned offensive MVP honors with his 4 catch, 131 yard performance. Defensive MVP honors went to Marvin Johnson who accumulated 2 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception, all in the second half. He had one tackle in the first half.

Youngstown State – The only way to describe this game was ugly. The YSU defense struggled to really get it’s footing in the first half, trailing 18-1 at one point. Rallying back to a 20-11 score for the White (second team), the Red offense would have it’s work cut out for it. They responded well, putting together quick scoring drives and leading 35-21 at one point, but the first team defense roared back and made the score much closer than it really should have been. In the end, Coach Jikolo said he was not happy with either side’s performance and particularly not happy with the offensive performances under the new gameplan. The coach said that he will not name MVPs from the game given the inconsistent play from all players.

Player Cuts

Miami – Sophomore QB Scott Hopkins, Sophomore HB Jeremy Adams, Sophomore FB Will Lewis, Junior DE Terrance Lane, Senior DE Will Hicks, Freshman DT Lance Horne, Freshman CB Lawrence Williams.

Penn State – Freshman QB Anthony Reese (4 stars, #22 QB, late signee), Freshman HB Reggie Robison (3 stars, #53 HB), Freshman WR Keith Kaplan (4 stars, #32 WR), Sophomore WR Mike Matthews, Freshman TE Andrew Rhodes (4 stars, #11 TE), Junior OT Tyson Williams (4 stars, #13 OT), Freshman OT Travis James (4 stars, #27 OT), Freshman OT Chase Williams (4 stars, #10 OT), Senior OG Tim Bentley, Sophomore OLB Brandon White, Freshman MLB James Meyer (3 stars, #55 MLB 2010), Sophomore SS Nick Jenkins, Freshman QB Andy Hicks (4 stars, #9 QB, in-season signee), Sophomore C Skip Mills.

Troy – Junior HB Trevor Brown, Senior TE Marcus Rhodes, Sophomore OT Victor Jones, Junior OG Cody Webb, Freshman C Jordy Clark, Senior DE Ryan Watson, Senior DT David Carroll, Sophomore OLB Clint Redd, Senior MLB Rasheed Marcellus, Senior CB Grady Rogers.

Youngstown State – Sophomore WR Derek Shuler, Freshman TE Curtis Simmons (3 stars, #26 TE), Freshman C Ryan Long (3 stars, #24, late signee), Freshman DE Cody Johnson (2 stars, #125 in 2010), Junior OLB Aaron Lynch (2 stars, #73 OLB, 2008), Junior MLB Jay Bryant (3 stars, #49 MLB, late signee from JUCO).