Our fourth look at spring scrimmages across the country. If you missed our previous reports, click here, here and here.
Atlantic Coast
Duke: The offense, which ranked 102nd nationally in yardage and 101st in scoring last season, showed it has made big strides. David Cutcliffe's goal is to have his team play in a bowl game. "We're certainly not a great football team, but we're a good football team," he said.
North Carolina State: Quarterback Russell Wilson passed for 195 yards in a half, then started at second base against Florida State in the evening. The offensive line remains a concern.
Virginia: Five quarterbacks combined to completed 35 of 53 passes for 337 yards and a touchdown, with three interceptions out of the new no-huddle spread offense.
Wake Forest: Riley Skinner, who will be entering his fourth season as a starting quarterback, completed 15 of 23 passes for 272 yards. The Demon Deacons are 26-11 with Skinner starting at quarterback.
Big East
Connecticut: Much of the offense, particularly with the passing game, was kept under wraps before 7,000 at Rentschler Field. The Huskies did run a no-huddle offense.
Rutgers: Quarterback Dom Natale was efficient and turnover-free. Senior Tim Brown reminded everyone that the team will have at least one go-to guy at receiver. And running back Joe Martinek looked the part of a workhorse back.
Syracuse: The offensive line, which continues to be the biggest sore spot, had a tough scrimmage. There were 10 penalties against the offense for 80 yards and new coach Doug Marrone was heard yelling at the team from the press box.
West Virginia: Jarrett Brown completed his first 15 passes and 21 of 28 for 273 yards. Wes Lyons had six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Big Ten
Indiana: Daruis Willis ran for 80 yards in 13 carries and scored a touchdown before a crowd estimated at 3,500 at Memorial Stadium. Willis said he was playing at about 80% because of injuries.
Iowa: Kirk Ferentz: "We can't do much well for a sustained period. We're going to have a lot to work on when we get back together in August. It's not like we'll put on a T-shirt and helmet and go out there and polish up a couple things and be ready to go."
Purdue: Sturdy sophomore Ralph Bolden ran 26 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. "He had a lot of carries and a lot of plays, and he didn't seem to wear down," coach Danny Hope said. "I thought Ralph was exceptional."
Wisconsin: Dustin Sherer is the expected starter at quarterback, but Curt Phillips, who opened spring practice No. 3 on the depth chart, put himself into position to push Sherer in the fall.
Big 12
Iowa State: Austen Arnaud will be the starting quarterback in Paul Rhoads' new spread formation. Jerome Tiller is No. 2.
Missouri: Blaine Gabbert and a retooled offense struggled in soggy conditions before a crowd of 13,122.
Nebraska: Quarterback Zac Lee wasn't afraid of throwing the deep ball, completing 15 of 18 for 214 yards and three touchdowns before 77,670.
Oklahoma State: Despite a strong finale by quarterback Brandon Weeden, Mike Gundy is in no hurry to name a backup to starter Zac Robinson.
Texas A&M: Hope you took the over in Vegas. Junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson and sophomore receiver Jeff Fuller led the Maroon squad to a 117-107 victory using a modified scoring system, with points available on every play.
Texas Tech: Taylor Potts, in line to succeed two-time 5,000-yard passer Graham Harrell as starting quarterback, completed 20 of 27 passes for 211 yards.
Conference USA
East Carolina: It was a scrimmage of big plays, including a 59-yard touchdown pass, a 50-yard scoring run and a 49-yard field goal.
Houston: The team had to clear the field 10 minutes into the scrimmage after lightning flashed within sight of Robertson Stadium. After waiting 90 minutes, the scrimmage was called.
Memphis: Safety DeRon Furr, a transfer from Auburn, was seemingly a part of every big play, finishing with seven tackles — including two for lost yardage — and returning an interception 54 yards for a touchdown.
Southern Mississippi: The defense played better than expected before an announced 8,000 at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Tulsa: Shavodrick Beaver, Jacob Bower and G.J. Kinne will continue their battle to become the starting quarterback in August.
Independent
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish displayed an improved run game before 31,104, the fifth-largest crowd for a spring scrimmage. Now the focus turns to winning big in the fall.
Mid-American
Buffalo: Lefty Zach Maynard was named the starting quarterback after completing 15 of 35 passes for 129 yards and an interception in blustery conditions. Coach Turner Gill believes Maynard's scrambling ability will add a new dimension to the offense.
Central Michigan: Ryan Radcliff is expected to be the backup quarterback behind Dan Lefevour.
Eastern Michigan: The scrimmage before 1,000-plus fans at Rynearson Stadium offered little in the way of an accurate assessment of the Eagles under first-year coach Ron English.
Miami (Ohio): Daniel Raudabaugh is the front-runner to become the starting quarterback after completing 11 of 14 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown.
Temple: A crowd of 4,000 watched defense control the play. Vaughn Charlton and Chester Stewart will continue their quarterback battle in August.
Toledo: New coach Tim Beckman had issues with the offense after five interceptions. "The game of football to me is all about takeaways," he said. "You don't have them on offense and you get them on defense. I was glad for the defense, but not so happy for the offense."
Mountain West
New Mexico: The Lobos have switched from a 3-5 defense to a 4-3 alignment under new coach Mike Locksley.
Nevada Las Vegas: Omar Clayton remains the starter at quarterback, but backup Mike Clausen was sharp, completing 10 of 14 for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Utah: Junior Corbin Louks, junior college transfer Terrance Cain and freshman Jordan Wynn will enter the offseason locked in a tight battle for quarterback job.
Pacific 10
Arizona State: The defense looks to be ready to open the season tomorrow. The offense has a lot of work to do.
California: Jeff Tedford suggested the Kevin Riley is at the top of the quarterback chart, followed by Brock Mansion and Beau Sweeney.
Stanford: Redshirt freshman quarterback Andrew Luck completed 18 of 25 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns in Stanford's scrimmage, which was held last Monday. "If we started a game tomorrow, Andrew Luck would be our starter," coach Jim Harbaugh said.
Southeastern
Alabama: An announced crowd of 84,050 and a national audience on ESPN saw Greg McElroy throw for two touchdowns. "We can be an outstanding team," Nick Saban said afterward to his team. "I'm not worried about the talent on offense. I'm not worried about the talent on defense. But how bad do you want it?"
Arkansas: Sophomore Ryan Mallett, the favorite to be named the starting quarterback, solidified his place ahead of redshirt freshman Tyler Wilson by completing 15 of 26 passes for 233 yards with two touchdowns. He had two passes intercepted.
Auburn: Gene Chizik and Gus Malzahn said they wanted to name a starting quarterback by the end of spring drills, but it didn't happen. Neil Caudle and Kodi Burns will continue their competition in August.
Florida: Tim Tebow played for only one half. The starting defense never stepped on the field. Neither the first-team tight end nor the first-team running back suited up. Attendance: about 65,000.
Louisiana State: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson, saying he is more comfortable now than he was in the Chick-fil-A Bowl when he guided the Tigers to a rout of Clemson, completed eight of 10 passes and led two touchdown drives.
Mississippi: Fans left thinking the Rebels can challenge for their first Southeastern Conference title since 1963. Jevan Snead completed 11 of 15 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. The offense has plenty of firepower, with its top five backs and top six or seven receivers returning from last year's 9-4 Cotton Bowl championship team.
Tennessee: Lane Kiffin has energized the fan base. A crowd of 51,488 watched the team go through a watered-down version of the playbook, with Kiffin spending his time inside the offense's huddle. "We wanted the offense to play well today," Kiffin said. "I kind of knew the answers to the test."
Sun Belt
Arkansas State: Quarterback Corey Leonard, poised to break Cleo Lemon's team record of 7,706 career passing yards, was praised by coach Steve Roberts: "Corey had by far the best spring he's ever had. He played better than he ever has since he's been here, fall or spring."
Florida Atlantic: The Owl offense looked to be in midseason form, but the young defense still has work to do.
Middle Tennessee State: New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin has found a starting quarterback. Dwight Dasher was 17 of 23 passing for 144 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for a 21-yard score.
Western Athletic
Boise State: Tyler Shoemaker, the projected starter at slot receiver, showed an ability to run after the catch. He had three catches for 138 yards.
Utah State: The Aggies either have plenty of skilled offensive players or a defense that is going to be a headache for new coach Gary Andersen.
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