Two-Minute Drill: Spring Game Edition
Each Monday, PowerMizzou.com takes a look at news and notes from Missouri's 2016 opponents. Today, with spring football wrapped up just about everywhere, we're looking at the storylines and stats from those spring games.
West Virginia
"The lone mistake from Howard came in the second half of action, when Miami transfer cornerback Antonio Crawford jumped a route to record what would’ve been a pick-six. In the spring game, an interception or any turnover, simply counts as three points.
'The one interception that concerned me was the one that Antonio Crawford made,' (Dana) Holgorsen said. “Antonio (Crawford) saw the back leak late and Skyler’s (Howard) eyes are supposed to go to that back and then he threw it. Antonio made a great play on the ball.'
"Up until Jennings’ performance during the Gold-Blue Spring Game, he had almost become an afterthought, compared to projected first team wide receivers Shelton Gibson, Ka’Raun White and Daikiel Shorts, but since White was sidelined Saturday with a shoulder injury, Jennings earned extra snaps with the first team offense.
Coming off of shoulder and wrist injuries of his own, it took a few weeks for Jennings to regain comfort on the field when the 15 spring practices started. Jennings even missed the first few workouts.
Head coach Dana Holgorsen disclosed to reporters on Saturday that Jennings actually played in the final three games of the 2015 season, including the Cactus Bowl with a broken wrist. Jennings scored on a 64-yard catch against Arizona State in the game.
'I think he (Jennings) is a tough kid,” Holgorsen said. “The last five practices, he started emerging as a guy that I think we’re going to be able to count on.'
Eastern Michigan
Study says Eastern Michigan should drop out of Division-I football... via The Detroit Free-Press
"Culturally and geographically, EMU football will simply never succeed from an attendance and financial standpoint," faculty member Howard Bunsis, who helped prepare the report, said in a presentation to the Board of Regents on Friday. "It is a losing proposition – always has been, and always will be. We hardly raise any money for football, and our attendance is the lowest in the country. Some of you believe that we are close to succeeding, if we just throw more money at the situation. This proposition is insane."
Defense posts 28-20 victory in spring game ... via MLive.com
"Redshirt freshman Breck Turner (Norwalk, Ohio-Norwalk) led the Eagles rushing attack on the day, carrying the ball 16 times for 84 yards, with one touchdown and a long of 24 yards. Redshirt junior Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit) competed five passes on the day, highlighted by a 44-yard bomb to redshirt freshman Dieuly Aristilde (Boynton Beach, Fla.-Boynton Beach) down the sideline.The top defender on the day was redshirt sophomore Lion King (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield), who finished with five tackles and one and a half sacks."
Georgia
Outside linebackers helping Pyke adjust to right tackle ... via UGASports.com
"Of course, Pyke may not be at right tackle once the season begins.
With the impending arrival of graduate transfer Tyler Catalina, there is a chance the 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman will be asked to play right tackle. If that’s happens, it’s conceivable that Pyke could move back to right guard, which is currently being manned by redshirt sophomore Lamont Gaillard.
If Catalina plays left tackle that would probably mean Isaiah Wynn moves back to left guard with Pyke staying at right tackle."
LSU
LSU post-spring breakdown: defense/specialists... via TigerBait.com.
"The Tigers lost only two starters from last season – outside linebacker Deion Jones and safety Jalen Mills. LSU had to play almost half the 2015 season without Mills due to a leg injury. So, Aranda was taking over a veteran group.
Now, Aranda is installing a new defensive scheme. Aranda believes in a 3-4 base defense as opposed to the 4-3 employed by all of coach Les Miles’ previous defensive coordinators.
In actuality, LSU will not be in its base defense very often. Due to the multitude of spread offenses in the Southeastern Conference, the Tigers will be in their nickel package for a majority of the snaps. LSU’s nickel defense under Aranda will be a 3-3-5. In the past, the Tigers had a 4-2-5 alignment in the nickel."
LSU post-spring breakdown: offense ... via TigerBait.com.
"For the first time in six years, the Tigers will start a season with a returning quarterback and offensive coordinator. It is no secret that LSU must receive improved quarterback play if it is going to advance to the Southeastern Conference title game for the first time in five seasons.
Cam Cameron, who is getting ready for his fourth campaign as Tigers quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, is pleased with Harris’ development.
'We are looking for a leader and a guy who can make decisions,' Cameron said. 'In a recent scrimmage, Brandon checked down and threw seven or eight passes to the tight end. He probably forced one pass (Saturday) on a second-and-ten. There were two plays he would have wanted back in the spring game.
'Brandon has to continue to grow as a quarterback. He picked up in the spring from the bowl game. Now, he needs to pick up in the summer where he left off in the spring. Then, it will be time for Brandon to come ready to perform in fall camp.'"
Florida
Spring Recap: Quarterbacks ... via InsidetheGators.com
"THE STANDOUT: That's certainly (Luke) Del Rio. Although he's not as tall as the other three quarterbacks - and doesn't have the same type of arm strength either - Del Rio is the furthest along as far as his knowledge of the playbook and running the offense. He looked calm, cool and collected operating as a first-teamer, rarely making too egregious of mistakes. He excelled at pre-snap reads and anticipating mismatches when working in the pocket. His smart decision-making skills also deserve some praise - and they were on display in the spring game, where he went 10-of-11 passing for 176 yards and two touchdowns against no interceptions against the second-string defense."
Expert Breakdown of Florida Gators' Offense ... via InsidetheGators.com
"Even in the midst of uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Gators’ offense took some huge steps forward during the Orange and Blue Debut. Luke Del Rio made as good a case for a starting job as one can possibly make in a spring game. The mental aspects of his game are incredibly impressive, especially given his experience level. His ability to read a defense, his patience in the pocket, his timing, and his decision-making were remarkable. He knew when to eat a play and throw it away when things didn’t go according to plan, he stayed poised in the pocket and waited for routes to develop down-field, and he was always on time with his throws with precision. He kept that precision on the move as well. I think he can still improve his anticipatory throws and his arm strength is not overwhelming, but I think he proved he’s the guy to elevate this Gators’ offense."
K Eddie Pineiro looks to rescue Florida's kicking game ... via CampusRush.com/ SportsIllustrated.com
"Rarely does a fan base—and a coaching staff—get so excited and nervous about a kicker at the same time, but Pineiro's situation is unique. With barely any football experience, he could be historically great—or he could fold the first time he faces a live rush this September. He was the subject of a high-profile recruiting battle based on two camp performances and a video clip. He has the leg. He has the attitude. He does not, however, have much experience.
When Pineiro's first field goal attempt, a 52-yarder, sailed through the uprights with about 10 yards to spare at the Gators' spring game Friday, the 40,000 or so people at Florida Field sounded like the usual 90,000 the program draws in the fall. Second-year coach Jim McElwain was one of those people yelling. As Florida's spring practice progressed, McElwain allowed himself to become more intrigued by the possibilities Pineiro's leg might provide. 'It started with getting really excited when he put his helmet on correctly. That was pretty cool,' McElwain cracked. 'Then he got it buckled. That was even better.'"
Middle Tennessee State
Blue Raiders end spring practices with Blue-White game ... via GoBlueRaiders.com
"Quarterbacks Brent Stockstill and John Urzua combined to go 14-for-24 for 148 yards and one interception. Stockstill was 6-for-11 for 52 yards. Urzua was 8-for-13 for 96 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception.
"I'Tavius Mathers led the ground game with 49 yards on four carries, including an eye-popping 34-yard touchdown run. Ruben Garnett added 44 yards on five carries, including a touchdown run."
Kentucky
Sophomore Drew Barker named starting QB ... via CatsIllustrated.com
"Barker finished the spring game 12-18 for 156 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He found Ryan Timmons on a rope over the middle for a 64 yard touchdown and later fit in a perfect pass to C.J. Conrad for a 19 yard touchdown completion.
While the spring game was a solid step for Barker, he knows he has to continue to progress over the summer.
'I’m not going to do anything differently,” Barker said. “I’ve been going in on off days and watching film. Then come out in practice and keep doing that consistently. This summer is going to be big. We have a good starting point, but we have to have a capacity for boredom this summer while running the same plays over and over until they’re ingrained in our memory.'"
South Carolina
Depth questions ... via GamecockCentral.com
"What do you feel is the deepest position on the 2016 version of the Gamecock football team?
CHRIS CLARK: Spoiler alert: Wes is going to count the BUCK as a defensive lineman for his argument, while I will claim the position as a linebacker to suit mine. It's a fair deal, considering it's a hybrid spot up front for the Gamecocks. While Skai Moore missed the spring for USC, I'm going to count Coleman Hutzler and Mike Peterson's corps of linebackers as the deepest on the team at this time.
USC has some talent and some experience back there with four seniors in Moore, Jon Walton, T.J. Holloman, and Larenz Bryant. Between those, there has been plenty of football played sans Bryant, who could see the most playing time he has in his career. The group also has junior Bryson Allen-Williams, who could well be a starter at one linebacker spot and has ability on the field. Sherrod Pittman is a former four-star prospect who may not play much this season but is an aggressive young player and Daniel Fennell had a good spring working at the BUCK.
USC has auditioned - and may continue to try out - several players at the BUCK, where there are some intriguing candidates such as Boosie Whitlow.
By the way, one could make the case for the interior of the offensive line (centers and guards) as being the deepest given what's there, plus the defensive line."
Muschamp unveils Boom Bus for recruiting ... via GamecockCentral.com
"South Carolina coach Will Muschamp's #SpursUp tour begins Wednesday and on Tuesday the Gamecocks unveiled Muschamp's mode of transportation for the event schedule -- a South Carolina-themed bus loaned to the athletics department by long-time supporter Reamer King of King Cadillac in Florence, S.C."
Vanderbilt
Passing game shines during spring game ... via VUCommodores.com
Five Vanderbilt quarterbacks saw action in the contest, and they combined to complete 17-of-25 attempts for 221 yards and no interceptions. Kyle Shurmur led the charge, completing 7-of-9 passes for 96 yards.
Head coach Derek Mason said he was pleased with the Commodores' overall performance, and said the game was a good step forward for his team.
"We came out here and competed," Mason said. "I liked what I saw from my offense. Our quarterbacks managed the game, they threw well, they hit their targets, and we were able to sustain some run game. It was good football. I liked what I saw."
Tennessee
Volquest.com's Spring Superlatives
"BRENT'S PICKS:
OFFENSIVE MVP: I thought Josh Dobbs did some good things this spring. They have to have him to make this offense go. Jalen Hurd you can say the same thing about. But for me, my spring MVP is Alvin Kamara. He didn't take a bunch of contact. But with a growing role and with his leadership skills, I think Kamara took his game up a notch this spring. Offensively, you have to have a “problem guy” to attack defenses and Kamara is the Vols problem guy.
DEFENSIVE MVP: Several options here from Darrin Kirkland, Jr. to Todd Kelly, Jr. the second half of spring. But I'm going with the quiet leader who sets the tone every day with his work ethic and that's Cam Sutton. The first week of spring ball, Sutton was complaining about his reps being limited. He loves to work and it's rubs off on his teammates. For a guy who could have milked the spring and relaxed. He did the complete opposite.
SPRING SURPRISE: For me it's Preston Williams. I knew he was really talented, but given all the went through last year you couldn't really tell where his want to level was. This spring his desire and talent were on full display from day one. Williams went from the back of the line to the front to try and grab every rep possible. He's not a complete polished product by any means. But he went from being a talent this spring to working on his craft and not just trying to rely on his talent. For me he made the biggest transition of anyone.
PLAYER WHO MADE A NAME: Quart'e Sapp will be the popular name among the Volquest staff and rightfully so. He showed out big time this spring. But for me, it's the early enrollee Marquill Osborne. The transition from high school to college was as smooth as you will see of any mid-term enrollee. Osborne's physical play for a high school senior was impressive and while he likely won't be a starter in the secondary, he will be a fixture on special teams and will be a guy who helps the Vols this fall.
PLAYER WHO MUST MAKE UP GROUND: You gotta go with someone in one of the two deepest positions on the team which is the offensive line and the secondary. With that in mind I am going to go in the secondary where I think the competition is the most intense and I'm going to go with Evan Berry. It's not Berry's fault as he was hurt this spring, but missing 15 workouts this spring was tough for Berry. Rashaan Gaulden showed his talents all spring long. More secondary competition is coming with guys like Nigel Warrior. Berry must get healthy and must hit the ground running when fall camp opens as competition at the safety will be the deepest of any position on the team."
Arkansas
Hogs wrap up 2016 spring with Red-White game ... via HawgSports.com
"Junior quarterback Austin Allen was solid, though not spectacular, and he finished the day 13 of 19 passing for 141 yards. He was also 'sacked' three times (at the behest of head coach Bret Bielema's whistle). While it was not a flashy day for the newly minted QB-1, there were some plays here and there that could have made his results really impressive (ifs and buts, right?).
'He had some miscues in the first half that weren’t his,' Arkansas coach Bret Bielema said. 'I think the guys on the team, they really respond to him – O-line, wide receivers, tight ends. They have a certain amount of trust and faith in him. Even the coaches by the calls that they can make and the plays that they can call.'
At the start of the second quarter on the White Team's first drive, Allen uncorked a beautiful 50-yard pass on a post pattern to Cody Hollister that was dead on the money. Recognizing he was about to be beaten on the play, cornerback Byron Keaton wisely committed pass interference, so the play only went for 15 yards."
Red-White Rewind ... via HawgSports.com
- The offensive lines did allow nine sacks, and Arkansas' starters missed out on scoring opportunities with a missed field goal from Cole Hedlund to start the game, and Keon Hatcher had a fumble go out of the back of the end zone for a touchback in the first half.
- Arkansas' field goal kickers had an unimpressive day, though they were going rapid-fire with their kicks and obviously won't have to do that in an actual game. The group was just 13 of 21 on the day, all total.