SUU Red vs White game to find starting QB
Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:42 am
http://www.suutbirds.com/ViewArticle.db ... ID=3724896
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!!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.”