BYU
The final open scrimmage concluded Saturday and the quarterback race is still even with a slight edge to Jake Heaps. Here are the stats from the entire spring:
Riley Nelson 29-of-51 for 389 yards and 5 touchdowns
James Lark 27-of-46 for 253 yards and no touchdowns
Jake Heaps 62-of-105 for 774 yards and 7 touchdowns
Here are some spring game stats:
Jadon Wagner sacked James Lark on one play.
Senior receiver B.J. Peterson had several catches, and was probably the leading receiver on the day.
In addition to his interception, Frazier also made a sack.
Bronco actually comments on the three (laughing as I type three) man race for the quarterbacks spot:
"I think it was just the same. I think it is becoming apparent to everyone: Jake is a natural, poised pocket passer. He makes very good decisions. Riley gives you the element of mobility and the grit and leadership that comes with that.
And James is just a hair behind, because of his mission. But I like them all, and I think they have all shown very well."
Florida State
The Seminole spring game was packed with the fans, but what can one really learn from the spring game. For one thing Tomahawk Nation is drooling over QB Christian Ponder and overall optimistic:
Wow. Ponder's arm strength looked tremendous. If he's really not yet full strength as Fisher said, then look out because his arm is already excellent. Ponder was victimized by 2 or 3 drops (at least 2 by walk-ons).
Five things The Chopping Block saw at the spring game:
1. Christian Ponder is good to go.
2. The people are excited.
3. The defense will be better.
4. There are still plenty of positions up for grabs.
5. Players are buying in.
Nevada
Apparently Fox News has a sports section and they put the Wolfpack as a potential BCS buster:
Nevada The nation's most devastating rushing attack should be at it again with QB Colin Kaepernick leading an offense that averaged 345 yards per game on the ground (almost 50 yards per game more than the nation's No. 2 running game, Georgia Tech's). It'll be a major disappointment if the Pack doesn't average 300 yards or more on the ground, and unlike last year, there should be a real, live defense that could finally be a help with most of the front line returning.
The 'Pack defense is getting much better, something that has stunted their growth:
"I'm pleased about how hard they worked in terms of their effort," Buh said. "We really emphasized their effort to the football, their leverage on the ball, their play entry on the ball and their tackling. And I felt like we got really good at those things in particular. When we do that, we give ourselves a chance of not letting the big play happen and that's basically what I wanted to improve on."
Washington
The spring scrimmage showed promise for the Huskies:
Nick Montana continues to impress this spring at QB. The highly touted frosh is making the most of his reps this spring. In a perfect world he doesn't see the field for a year because a year of eligibility is a terrible thing to waste if you are not starting. If needed though he will likely be the number two is spirit this fall based on the way the roster is currently set.
Utah State
Quarterback play was pretty good in their final spring scrimmage and the replacement running back looks to be Michael Smith. Here are the passing stats: Jeff Fischer 18-29, 197, TD, INT; Diondre Borel 15-21, 184, TD. While Michael Smith had 112 yards on seven carries.
Of course head coach Gary Andersen was happy with the spring scrimmage:
"Today went well. Both sides of the ball are evenly matched," said senior quarterback Diondre Borel, who was 15-of-21 for 184 yards with a TD. "I feel like we could get better on offense and defense with cleaning up mistakes. That is one thing that we focus on that we need to get better at. Overall, we are out there making plays. Our defense is making plays. We are going back and forth. That is what we want."