Our second look at spring scrimmages across the country. Click here to view our first report. Announced attendance if reported.
North Carolina State: It was a huge scrimmage for receivers against a defensive backfield that's still maturing after struggling throughout the 2009 season. Announced attendance: 25,372.
Wake Forest: Starting quarterback Skylar Jones completed four of five passes for 38 yards and carried seven times for 21 yards. Backup Ted Stachitas, who missed much of the spring with a pulled hamstring, completed four of seven for eight yards and carried seven times for 18 yards. Attendance: 5,000.
Big EastConnecticut: Plenty of firepower on offense, with Michael Smith catching five passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. But the concern is squarely on the secondary, still trying to recover from the tragic death of Jasper Howard last year. Attendance: 2,500.
Pittsburgh: Is the defense that good or the offense that bad? Outside of Dion Lewis' 52-yard run, the offense managed only 67 yard in the other 37 carries. Attendance: 6,532.
South Florida: Quarterback B.J. Daniels passed for 381 yards and five touchdowns and receiver Dontavia Bogan had 233 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Receiver A.J. Love suffered an injury to his right knee. If Love is to miss a significant part of the season, look for Skip Holtz to reach out to North Carolina State receiver Donald Bowens, who graduates next month and wants to transfer to South Florida for his season of eligibility. Attendance: 6,357.
Syracuse: The Orange's aggressive offense was rewarded with 537 yards and six touchdowns. Attendance: 4,752.
Indiana: Ben Chappell completed 15 of 23 passes for 142 yards and tight end Charles Love III caught five passes for 46 yards. Attendance: 5,325.
Iowa: The defense controlled play, but at least 15 players did not take part because of injury concerns, including both starting safeties and any running back with a realistic chance of playing next fall. Attendance: 23,502.
Michigan: Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier will continue their battle for the starting quarterback job into the fall, but Robinson clearly had the edge in Saturday's scrimmage. Attendance: 35,000.
Purdue: Who will be the starting quarterback when the Boilermakers visit Notre Dame on Sept. 4? Robert Marve, Caleb TerBush and Rob Henry all had their moments on Saturday.
Wisconsin: The offense struggled in the red zone and settled for three field goals. "You'd like to see them finish things off," coach Bret Bielema said. Attendance: 23,567.
Big 12Iowa State: Austen Arnaud completed 14 of 20 passes for 156 yards, but the search for a backup running back to Alexander Robinson will continue into the fall. Attendance: 10,000.
Missouri: Aldon Smith is still a menace, the cornerbacks are suited for their newly installed coverages and there is speed galore on coordinator Dave Steckel’s defense. Attendance: 15,000.
Nebraska: The running of Taylor Martinez fueled controversy about who should be the starting quarterback. "He has a skill set that, honestly, you can't coach," offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. Attendance: 77,936.
Oklahoma: Landry Jones, coming off his breakout performance in the Sun Bowl, completed 17 of 34 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance: 16,481.
Oklahoma State: Brandon Weeden, a 26-year-old junior, completed 22 of 34 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Attendance: 7,000.
Texas A&M: The defense, among the nation's worst last season, has switched to a 3-4 alignment. "We've tried to force feed our guys," defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. "I wasn't sure how much they could handle." Attendance: 15,000.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders ran the ball more than they passed it on two touchdown drives and, in another departure from the Mike Leach era, punted on fourth and one from the 39-yard line. The offense also played with a noticeably faster pace, going no-huddle throughout. Attendance was thought to be less than 10,000.
Conference USAAlabama Birmingham: The defense had a productive spring, but it didn't show in the scrimmage as quarterbacks David Isabelle and Bryan Ellis combined for four scoring passes. Attendance: 2,500.
Central Florida: Rob Calabrese completed 11 of 17 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. Attendance: 7,288.
East Carolina: The Pirates unveiled a spread offense, but the defense controlled play for much of the scrimmage, which was played on a field shortened by 30 yards because of construction to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Memphis: Ryan Williams, a 6-foot-5 freshman quarterback, completed his first 14 passes and finished 15 of 17 for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Attendance: 3,500.
Tulsa: Quarterback G.J. Kinne completed 11 of 23 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a one-yard scoring run.
Mid-AmericanAkron: New coach Rob Ianello said it was a spring to remember. ''I believe we have established a foundation on how we want to practice, on how we want to do things. I believe we are on the right track. We have a lot of work to do, but I feel good about where we are headed.'' Attendance: 1,805.
Ball State: Sophomore Kelly Page and redshirt freshman Aaron Mershman shared No. 1 reps at quarterback throughout the 15 spring workouts, but neither assumed the starting job entering summer workouts.
Bowling Green: The defense continued to show improvement, leading coach Dave Clawson to say: "Our guys are playing faster. We're going to pressure and blitz a little more.
Central Michigan: New coach Dan Enos has work to do to win over the fans.
Eastern Michigan: The Eagles are coming off a 0-12 season, but coach Ron English thinks his defense will be much improved. "They're really starting to believe what I believe, playing a full six seconds, until the whistle and playing really physical football." Attendance: 300.
Temple: The scrimmage featured no kickoff, kick returns or punts, and little offense. A 51-yard field goal by Brandon McManus provided the only points. Attendance: 4,000.
Mountain WestNew Mexico: B.R. Holbrook completed 17 of 28 passes for 256 yards. Receiver Chris Hernandez caught five passes for 77 yards, including two for touchdowns.
Nevada Las Vegas: New coach Bobby Hauck gave a frank assessment of his team, which has nonconference games against Wisconsin and West Virginia. "We've learned to play hard in stretches, but I don't think we've learned to play well yet. The execution isn't sharp enough. I mean, certainly the way we played today wouldn't get us a win in the fall." Attendance: 1,200.
Utah: Quarterback Jordan Wynn hurt his left non-throwing shoulder diving after a fumble on the first play of the scrimmage and didn't return. The injury isn't serious and he should be fine. Attendance: 10,000.
Wyoming: The first team offensive line struggled and quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels was sacked three times.
Pacific 10California: Kevin Riley completed 11 of 16 passes for 126 yards, but he fumbled twice, losing one. Attendance: 3,000.
Stanford: Jim Harbaugh was pleased with the improved play of the defense. The scrimmage was moved to Kezar Stadium because Stanford Stadium is being resodded. Attendance: 4,374.
SoutheasternAlabama: Heisman winner Mark Ingram saw limited duty, but gained 90 yards in nine carries and caught four passes for 31 yards. Greg McElroy completed 12 of 22 passes for 142 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Attendance: 91,312.
Auburn: Cameron Newton, Neil Caudle and Barrett Trotter will continue their quarterback competition into the fall. Attendance: 63,217.
Mississippi: One thing the Rebels have is depth at running back. Six players are competing to take over where Dexter McCluster left off. Attendance: 30,229 (inflated?).
Mississippi State: Junior college transfer Vick Ballard ran 14 times for 73 yards and a touchdown in his bid to become the No. 1 running back. Attendance: 34,127 (Egg Bowl tie-in).
Tennessee: Even without departed star Eric Berry, the defensive backfield controlled play. Quarterbacks Matt Simms and Tyler Bray completed only 30 of 66 passes for 325 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Attendance: 35,891.
Sun BeltWestern Kentucky: Coach Willie Taggart has installed the West Coast offense and the Hilltoppers played like they have been using the system for years.
Western AthleticBoise State: Quarterback Kellen Moore's spring struggles continued. He completed only 14 of 31 passes for 143 yards and no touchdowns. Two of his passes were intercepted.
Comments