SUU Red vs White game to find starting QB

[SUUTbird]

http://www.suutbirds.com/ViewArticle.db ... ID=3724896

CEDAR CITY, Utah, April 21 – Southern Utah University will take a big step toward determining who the 2009 starting quarterback will be this Saturday at the annual Red/White Scrimmage, according to Thunderbird head coach Ed Lamb. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Eccles Coliseum.

Senior Cade Cooper and redshirt sophomore Kyle Bowen have waged a spirited battle all spring to claim the starting quarterback position next fall, and Lamb says he will let the players prove on the field who has that nod. The testing period culminates Saturday.

“I’ve been very pleased with the progress of our offense [during the spring],” Lamb said. “We have two very talented quarterbacks, and the competition between the two has elevated their play. A starter will be named based on their performances in the Spring game, that's how close the battle is.”

Lamb added he is also happy with the competition at running back, noting “We have seven running backs with winning ability, it will be great to see who shines in the game.”

Vying for time at running back have been three players who saw significant playing time last year: Deckar Alexander, Daryl Brown and Kennie Apilli, while Austin Minefee, Brandon Godfrey, Brian Wilson and Major Gray have also played well this spring. Minefee was a squad member last year and the other three spent the 2008 season as redshirts. In addition to those seven, a pair of converted linebackers, Tui Siliva and Taylor Pendley, will look to make an impact from the fullback position.

For the second consecutive year, the game will be a full game, with two separate teams and a running clock, although, due to a numbers issue, the nine offensive linemen in spring ball will all play for both teams. Offense, defense and the kicking game will all be live-action.

The squad will be split into two teams by a draft to be held Wednesday. Head coaches for the teams will be Mike Leavitt, Jr., and Chris Weaver, with the SUU staff assisting the two head coaches.

Lamb said he will take himself out of the spring game and do his observing from the press box, where he will serve as the event announcer.

In observing the spring game Lamb said he will be looking at certain aspects of the game.

“Our objective this spring has been to play to our increased physical size and strength,“ he pointed out. “[Saturday] we want to run the ball with our big backs, behind our big OL, and block well on the perimeter with our big receivers. Defensively, we want to match up and stop the run to create long yardage situations. In the kicking game, we want our team work ethic to be evident.”

I am really excied this year for SUU football. Hopefully this year our offense will be more then just throwing the ball every play. Our returning OL averages about 280 lbs at 6''3 so i cant wait to see our running game in action especially with some of our big backs we have this year. Look out everyone, here comes SUU!!

[Wildcat Ryan]

Tbird, have you had any opportunities to watch the two QB's in action? which guy do you think would get the job?

Man our teams need to play each other again. The last game in 2006 was played in Ogden, so if our teams were to play each other again it would be in Cedar City. I would really consider driving down from West Point to come down and watch that game. Good luck to the SUU T-Birds this year, and go beat Utah State.

[grizzaholic]

Tbird, have you had any opportunities to watch the two QB's in action? which guy do you think would get the job?

Man our teams need to play each other again. The last game in 2006 was played in Ogden, so if our teams were to play each other again it would be in Cedar City. I would really consider driving down from West Point to come down and watch that game. Good luck to the SUU T-Birds this year, and go beat Utah State.

Your stock is really rising. SUU is going to be a tough team this year and in years to come. They are running a top notch program down there as of late.

[Wildcat Ryan]

I dont understand why Weber and SUU dont play each other, I mean we are the only FCS teams in our state. Utah State plays both Utah and BYU every year (unfortunately for them) Why cant our teams do the same, or shall I say Why are our teams unwilling to creat a rivalry?

Year Winner Score Location Series
1984 Weber State 29-10 Ogden 1-0
1985 Weber State 62-20 Ogden 2-0
1987 Weber State 36-26 Ogden 3-0
1988 Weber State 49-30 Ogden 4-0
1989 Weber State 42-7 Ogden 5-0
1990 Weber State 37-21 Cedar 6-0
1991 Weber State 33-14 Ogden 7-0
1992 Weber State 35-24 Ogden 8-0
1993 Weber State 43-39 Ogden 9-0
1994 Weber State 20-14 Cedar 10-0
1997 Weber State 33-32 Ogden 11-0
1999 SUU 39-7 Ogden 11-1
2001 SUU 28-21 Cedar 11-2
2003 Weber State 13-3 Ogden 12-2
2004 SUU 34-31 Ogden 12-3
2005 Weber State 27-10 Cedar 13-3
2006 Weber State 24-13 Ogden 14-3

I mean we played each other almost every year for 22 years, but for some reason we just stopped, I wonder why?

[clenz]

I'm glad UNI got is done with SUU for now. You really showed massive improvement from 07 to 08. Show that much improvement again and some teams need to watch their ass.

[SUUTbird]

Tbird, have you had any opportunities to watch the two QB's in action? which guy do you think would get the job?

Man our teams need to play each other again. The last game in 2006 was played in Ogden, so if our teams were to play each other again it would be in Cedar City. I would really consider driving down from West Point to come down and watch that game. Good luck to the SUU T-Birds this year, and go beat Utah State.

Unfortunetly i have not been able to see these guys in action, however if anything i am leaning more towards cade cooper as he seems to be the more mobile of the two. I think a QB that can run and throw is alot better then the standard pocket QB. I think we should play again and have it be the last game of the year every year like the BYU vs Utah game. Maybe we might get a tiny bit more media attention.

[Wildcat Ryan]

Tbird, have you had any opportunities to watch the two QB's in action? which guy do you think would get the job?

Man our teams need to play each other again. The last game in 2006 was played in Ogden, so if our teams were to play each other again it would be in Cedar City. I would really consider driving down from West Point to come down and watch that game. Good luck to the SUU T-Birds this year, and go beat Utah State.

Unfortunetly i have not been able to see these guys in action, however if anything i am leaning more towards cade cooper as he seems to be the more mobile of the two. I think a QB that can run and throw is alot better then the standard pocket QB. I think we should play again and have it be the last game of the year every year like the BYU vs Utah game. Maybe we might get a tiny bit more media attention.

It would be great to do that, unfortunately I dont think our schools would get any more media attention, because last season Weber was playing home to EWU and on the verge of making History, (unfortunately we didnt) on the same day of the Holy War, and thats all anybody talked about that whole week, even if Weber or SUU would win the national title 3 years in a row, it would still all be about Utah and BYU. Its sad.