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SCHOOLS WITH THE MOST WINS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS:
USC (59), Boise State (56), LSU (56), Oklahoma (54), Texas (54), Ohio State (53), Georgia (51), Virginia Tech (50), Auburn (50), West Virginia (49). No. 13 Boston College (47), No. 14 Florida (46), Michigan (46), Tennessee (44). AUBURN: The Tigers had their final practice Wednesday night. Quarterback Kodi Burns was 12- of- 15 for 213 yards passing with two scores. Offensive coordinator Tony Franklin said Burns is more accurate due to his improved footwork. Chris Todd was 11- of- 18 for 144 yards. Tailback Tristan Davis, who missed most of the spring with injuries, had two carries for 75 yards. Linebacker Tray Blackmon led the team in tackles with nine. Defensive lineman Michael Goggans and Sen’Derrick Marks drew raves reviews from the coaches. Auburn’s spring game attracted 35,000 fans that saw a lot of offense from Burns, who was 14- of- 21 for 142 yards, and Todd, who was 18- of- 27 for 190 yards. Third string quarterback Neil Caudle was 10- of- 18 for 50 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Receiver Robert Dunn caught five passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Tommy Trott had five catches for 55 yards. The offense had 72 passes and 59 runs. Tailback Ben Tate scored twice on five runs for 22 yards. Few of the main tailbacks played much due to injuries. Safety Mike McNeil had nine tackles. Marks had a sack and three tackles to earn defensive most valuable player honors. ALABAMA: The Tide’s offense struggled against the defense in a 125-play scrimmage last Saturday. Alabama’s quarterbacks were 26- of- 72 with seven picks and three touchdowns. Quarterback John Parker Wilson was 15- of- 36 for 151 yards and one pick against the second team defense. Greg McElroy was 7- of- 24 for 51 yards and four picks, Nick Fanuzzi was 1- of- 4 for 60 yards. Receivers Nikita Stover and Will Oakley didn’t play due to hamstrings injuries. Receiver Mike McCoy had four catches for 43 yards and Darius Hanks had three catches for 40 yards. Tailback Terry Grant, who had successful surgery for a sports hernia, carried 12 times for 41 yards. The first team offensive line consisted of tackle Andre Smith, center Antoine Caldwell, left guard Mike Johnson, right guard Marlon Davis and right tackle Drew Davis. Taylor Pharr and Davis, who are both up to around 300 pounds, are competing for the right tackle spot. Linebacker Rolando McClain had six tackles and one quarterback hurry and cornerback Justin Woodall had five tackles and one pick. Cornerback Javier Arenas, who is close to 200 pounds, had two picks. Tide cornerback Lionel Mitchell has nerve inflammation in his lower back that could affect his season. He joins Zeke Knight (heart issues) and Prince Hall (suspension) as starters who may or not play much this season. Defensive lineman Brian Motley had to have a pin inserted into his broken finger. Motley has also spent some time this week on the offensive line. True freshman receiver Chris Jackson, a mid-term enrollee, was impressive in drills. TENNESSEE: The Vols secondary had several highlights in last Saturday’s scrimmage. Safety Demetrice Morley intercepted a pass, made three tackles and collected a sack. Cornerback Eric Berry blocked a field goal attempt. Dennis Rogan and DeAngelo Willingham performed well at cornerback. Defensive tackle Dan Williams knocked down three passes and had four tackles. Coach Phil Fulmer wants Williams to lose 20 pounds from his 310 pound frame during the offseason. Fulmer has asked defensive linemen Donald Langley, Victor Thomas and Chase Nelson to step up. Conversely, Fulmer has lavished praised on sophomore defensive end Ben Martin. Only 40% of the playbook under new offensive coordinator Dave Clawson has been installed. Clawson hopes to have 75% by the end of spring. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton was 7- of- 15 for 55 yards with one touchdown and a pick. Reserve quarterback Nick Stephens was 5- of- 8 for 54 yards. Freshman B. J. Coleman was the most accurate and impressive quarterback completing 9- of- 16 for 95 yards. Josh Briscoe led the receivers with five catches for 83 yards. Kicker Daniel Lincoln was 6- of- 7 with a long of 44 yards. Fullback David Holbert dislocated his knee and had ligament damage (he had no nerve or artery damage) during the scrimmage. Holbert missed the entire 2007 season with an ACL tear. Last week, tight end David Cottam broke the fibula in his right leg and will miss the remainder of spring. The Vols game at UCLA originally scheduled for Sept. 6 has been moved to Sept. 1 to be televised by ESPN. The UAB game originally set for Aug. 30 has been moved to Sept. 13. Tennessee has an open date before the UAB game. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel will make his debut. UCLA comes to Knoxville next year. The move also means that Tennessee will not have an open date before the Florida game. VANDERBILT: The defense overwhelmed the offense in the annual spring game. Vandy’s offense gained 285 yards on 61 plays. The entire offensive line has to be replaced. Both of last year’s top returning quarterbacks MacKenzi Adams and Chris Nickson combined for only 25 yards. Quarterback Jared Funk was 4- of- 6 for 44 yards and ran for another 36. Tailback Jared Hawkins gained 44 yards to lead the offense. MISSISSIPPI STATE: Starting junior offensive lineman Michael Brown and sophomore defensive tackle Quinton Wesley were dismissed from the team after gunfire was reported near a group of dorms early Friday morning. Wesley was charged with shooting at a car and Brown was found in possession of a gun, both felonies. Around 6,000 fans saw a, 6-0, spring game that went into overtime. During overtime, quarterback Chris Relf hit receiver Co-Eric Riley with a 25-yard scoring pass. Starting quarterback Wesley Carroll completed 2- of- 6 passes and starting tailback Antonio Dixon ran for once for 10 yards. Coach Sly Croom said the offense had improved during the spring especially with redshirt freshman Robert Elliott who is considered a big play threat. OLE MISS: Rebel players are appreciating a more personal approach to practice under coach Houston Nutt. The players say Nutt and the coaching staff have made practice fun again with more teaching. Dexter McCluster has lined up at quarterback, running back and receiver. Nutt is experimenting with a package called the “Wild Rebel” similar to what he used with Darren McFadden at Arkansas. Receiver Marshay Green, who has missed a lot of work due to a staph infection, has rejoined practice. UCLA transfer Jeremy McGee has experimented at cornerback. LSU: The Tigers went through a Saturday scrimmage where running backs Keiland Williams (63 yards on eight carries), Richard Murphy and Charles Scott gained close to 200 yards. Murphy, who was No. 4 on the depth chart last year, has moved closer to the top. Coach Les Miles constantly talks about his progress. Both quarterbacks—redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and sophomore Andrew Hatch—completed 10 passes each for 95 yards. Sophomore safety Chad Jones had nine tackles and broke up a pass. As of Thursday, quarterback Ryan Perrilloux still has yet to show. Tiger sports information personnel said the quarterback has not fulfilled his obligations to coach Les Miles pertaining to work outs not academics and he will not participate in the spring game. Miles said he will not participate in the spring game because it would be unfair to the other quarterbacks. There were also reports that Perrilloux was asked to leave an upscale Baton Rouge restaurant Sunday night that were unfounded according to the establishment’s spokesmen. However, some of the employees that were interviewed, but declined to give their names said Perrilloux called one of the waiters “Osama”. Furthermore, an employee also said a manager told the group to calm down or he would call the police. Perrilloux and the rest of the group shortly left. Miles said Perrilloux will be back in full team membership on Sunday before the team travels to the White House to meet the President. LSU officials could name a new athletic director Friday. Former Florida State AD Dave Hart interviewed, but he didn’t make the cut. Defensively there are several questions for the Tigers yet to be answered. How will new co-coordinators Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto do? Are the young linebackers Perry Riley, Kelvin Sheppard and Jacob Cutrera ready for more action? Who joins safety Curtis Taylor as the three other starters in the secondary? How do the nine defensive linemen all get time on the field? KENTUCKY: The season opener at Louisville has been set for Sunday afternoon, Aug. 31, at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN. Three quarterbacks-Curtis Pulley, Mike Hartline, Will Fidler-- are vying to replace Andre Woodson. Receivers DeMoreo Ford (ruptured patella tendon) and Jonathan Gholson (knee ligament) were injured during Saturday’s practice and redshirt freshman tailback Brandon Johnson has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. E. J. Adams switched from cornerback to receiver. Quarterback Matt Lentz went to a safety position and backup linebacker A. J. Nance to fullback. SOUTH CAROLINA: In Saturday’s scrimmage, quarterback Chris Smelley was 15- of- 26 for 184 yards and two scores, while Tommy Beecher was 8- of- 20 for 91 yards and a score. Neither quarterback threw a pick. Tailback Mike Davis is out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. Walk-on Spencer Lanning could take some of the punting duties off Ryan Succop. Coach Steve Spurrier calls him “Lanning Spencer”. Tight ends Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders caught seven passes and all three touchdowns in the scrimmage. Saunders has become a legitimate threat as a pass catching tight end. True freshman cornerback Akeem Auguste has done well in the secondary and as a punt returner. Spurrier said he won’t announce a starting quarterback until the spring game. Running back Bobby Wallace, linebacker Dustin Lindsey and defensive back Chris Hail have been instructed to improve their academic standings. Spurrier mentioned the improved play of running back Eric Baker and receiver Jason Barnes, a redshirt freshman. Receiver Larry Freeman has found success in consistently blocking punts. Spurrier was asked about the team’s Academic Performance Review. He said the academic progress rate (APR) would be improved with two less scholarships. Coaches such as Spurrier have become more deliberate in disciplinary decisions due to the team’s APR, the NCAA’s new academic measuring stick. Teams lost a retention point by dismissing players in the middle of the school year, and they could lose a scholarship if the player is academically ineligible at the time the team is below the minimum, as the Gamecocks are currently. GEORGIA: Saturday is the annual G-Day game. The average number of tickets presold for the G-Day game is usually 2,000. Georgia fans have already purchased 11,000. Fans can buy tickets online and there is no conflict with the Master’s Golf Tournament this season. In Friday’s scrimmage, quarterback Matthew Stafford was 8- of- 12 for 158 yards and two scores. Joe Cox was 11- of- 14 for 178 yards and two scores. Logan Gray, the third string quarterback was 7- of- 11 and a score. Tailback Dontavious Jackson, a freshman rushed for 56 yards on 9 carries. Richard Samuel carries eight times for 30 yards and caught three passes for 55 yards. Tailback Knowshon Moreno caught two passes for 74 yards including a 70-yard touchdown. Receiver Michael Moore caught three passes for 74 yards. Walter Hill caught 4 passes for 74 yards. Israel Troupe caught four passes for 48 yards and Kris Durham caught five passes for 51 yards. Darryl Gamble had 7.5 tackles and Reshad Jones intercepted a Stafford pass. Richt praised the efforts of redshirt freshman Justin Anderson, who is the No. 1 right guard and freshman center Ben Jones. The rest of the starting line consists of Clint Boling at left guard, Trinton Sturdivant at left tackle, Chris Davis at center and Kiante Tripp at right tackle. Richt expects defensive lineman Jeff Owens’ dislocated shoulder to be 100% by June. Larry Munson will not broadcast the G-Day game. Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi will be limited in the game due to a neck sprain. Receiver Tavarres King has shot up the depth chart due to various players being injured. ARKANSAS: Coach Bobby Petrino said his team will hit as much as possible. The Hogs started practice on Thursday in helmets and shorts. They will practice throughout the weekend. Sophomore Ben Cleveland practice for the first time since last August due to a shoulder injury. FLORIDA: The defense got the best of the offense in Saturday’s scrimmage. Coach Urban Meyer said the momentum turned in the defense’s favor after consecutive sacks by sophomore defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap (who has had a solid week of practice). Quarterback John Brantley sat out the scrimmage with a shoulder injury for fear of contact. Meyer also said tight ends Cornelius Ingram and freshman Aaron Hernandez will be utilized this season. Tailback Emmanuel Moody has yet to take the reins over Kestahn Moore, who is the No. 1 tailback. Chris Rainey and Brandon James are considered the No. 2 backs. Rainey also blocked a field goal in Monday’s practice. Percy Harvin did not participate because his heel injury has spread to his knee and hips because he is over-compensating. An MRI showed a significant injury (bone related), but Myer said even surgery wouldn’t prevent Harvin from being on the field for fall drills. Meyer did say Wednesday that it was likely that Harvin would have surgery next week. Offensive lineman James Wilson has decided to stay at Florida. Defensive lineman Torrey Davis was removed from practice after he started a fight with center Maurkice Pouncey. Linebacker Jerimy Finch continues to step up his play. It looks like he will stay with the linebackers. Ahmad Black, like Wilson, has fought his way through being unhappy and has become a productive player. Matt Patchan, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, is making some plays at defensive end. Former Cal running back James Montgomery is interested in transferring to Florida according to longtime friend Carl Moore. He is reportedly interested in Washington, Oregon, Fresno State or Florida. University of Washington coaches recently visited Florida’s practice to exchange ideas on the spread. Jamar Hornsby, a Sandalwood grad, has gotten his act together on and off the field. ACC NOTES CLEMSON: Offensive coordinator Rob Spence, defensive coordinator Vic Koenning and receivers coach Dabo Swinney have been offered multi-year contract extensions. Spence will receive a raise to $250,000. He has turned down deals close to $400,000 from Tennessee and Alabama to stay at Clemson. Tiger staff members will be paid $1.5 million next season or fifth in the ACC. Florida State assistants are first with $2.2 million, Virginia Tech $1.8 million, North Carolina $1.7 million, and N C State $1.5 million, round out the top five. GEORGIA TECH: Quarterback Josh Nesbitt had a better showing in Saturday’s scrimmage than Calvin Booker. Nesbitt ran for 40 yards. He also completed passes for 19 and 18 yards to fullback Jonathan Dwyer. He also hit receiver DeMaryius Thomas for a 51-yard touchdown. Receiver D. J. Donley, who caught eight passes for 101 yards in the bowl game, is transferring to Purdue. James Johnson, another receiver, has given up his senior season after battling tendonitis in his knee. FLORIDA STATE: In Saturday’s scrimmage, the defense dominated the offense with quarterbacks D’vontrey Richardson and Christian Ponder getting the majority of the snaps. Ponder was 4- of- 14 for 27 yards with two fumbles on bad snaps and three sacks. Richardson, who was sacked three times, was 7- of- 19 for 121 yards. Richardson is elusive, but he said that he needs to learn to step up in the pocket. Tailback Antone Smith ran 71 yards on 10 carries and freshman receiver Tawain Easterling caught five passes for 71 yards. Defensive end Everette Brown had two sacks and two pass breakups. Linebacker Dekoda Watson has taken on more of a leadership role with the young linebackers such as Aaron Gresham, Vincent Williams and Nigel Bradham. Kenny Ingram is adjusting to his move from safety to linebacker. FSU will have half a scrimmage Wednesday afternoon. FSU football analyst Peter Tom Willis did not have his contract renewed for the upcoming season. Even Willis admitted that he was too critical of the team, especially the offense. Dumaka Atkins, a former offensive lineman, is adjusting well as a defensive tackle. MIAMI: Around 11,000 fans saw the Miami spring game. Quarterback Robert Marve (10 for 22 for 93 yards) is still the better quarterback. Marve demonstrated arm strength and poise in the pocket. He also has good scrambling ability. Jacory Harris was 9- of- 17 for 64 yards with no picks and no touchdowns. The receivers, who didn’t drop passes all spring, are still struggling to catch the ball. Freshman receiver Aldarius Johnson showed that he can take a screen pass to the end zone. Sophomore tight end Dedrick Epps made some big catches this spring. Fullbacks John Calhoun and Patrick Hill sprung Graig Cooper (91 yards on eight carries and four catches for 60 yards) and Javarris James (25 yards rushing and 60 yards receiving). Cooper has gained weight, but not lost his quickness. James said his poor performance in 2007 was due to a lingering injury. Freshman offensive lineman Joel Figueroa was one of the most impressive offensive linemen even thought the unit as a whole underachieved this spring. The defense had six sacks including three by linebacker Darryl Sharpton. Freshmen linebackers Arthur Brown (eight tackles, a pass breakup and a pick) and Sean Spence (two picks), who returned one for a score, continued to play well. With the return of Glenn Cook, Sharpton, Romeo Davis, Colin McCarthy and Spence and Brown, the linebacker unit could be very good. Defensive lineman Allen Bailey made quite an impression this spring with his quickness and strength at 290 pounds. Bailey has made a smooth transition from linebacker. Yet, the line still struggles from poor recruiting depth. Eric Moncur, Bailey, Marcus Fortson and Antonio Dixon could be a solid line one day. Linemen Dwayne Hendricks, Joe Joseph, Chaz Washington and Luqman Abdallah must also step up. Sophomore cornerback Chevas Grant had an interception in nearly every practice. The coaches were more pleased with the cornerbacks than the safeties this spring. CONGRESSIONAL BOWL: A deal is in the works for a new bowl game that involves a service academy team and an ACC team to be play on Dec. 20 at either RFK Stadium or the new Nationals stadium. The NCAA requires a TV contract, venue and a letter of credit. SOUTHERN MISS: USM has signed a three-game series with Nebraska that starts in 2012. Other games will be played in 2013 and 2015.
BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.
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