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CONFERENCE SCHEDULES (RIVALS.COM): This season, the big six conferences are playing 51 games against Division I-AA opponents compared to 41 last year and 47 in 2006.
Teams playing at least three teams from the big six conferences: UConn 3, East Carolina 4, Hawaii 4, Notre Dame 10, UCF 3 Teams playing two I-AA teams: Clemson, FSU, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and Western Kentucky Teams playing no teams from the big six conferences: Air Force, Arizona, Indiana, LSU, Minnesota, Texas Tech and Wisconsin Teams with eight home games: Indiana, Louisville, LSU and Nebraska ACC schedules: The league is playing 14 Division I-AA opponents, the most of any conference. They are also playing more big six conference schools (23) than any other league. SEC schedules: The league has nine games against I-AA foes and 15 games against big six conference opponents. SEC NOTES ALABAMA: An estimated 78,200 fans saw the annual A-Day game last Saturday. The Crimson squad beat the White team, 24-14. Quarterback John Parker Wilson was 17- of- 34 for 265 yards and three touchdowns and one pick. Walk-on Thomas Darrah, who was 8- of- 14 for 110 yards, has the strongest arm of the quarterbacks. Quarterback Nick Fanuzzi was 2- of- 7 for 33 yards and Greg McElroy was 12- of- 26 for 196 yards and one score. Tight end Nick Walker caught five passes for 69 yards. Tide tight ends caught 11 passes for 164 yards. The offensive line that returns four starters allowed eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Tailback Roy Upchurch had 11 carries for 49 yards. Darius Hanks led the receivers with four catches for 102 yards. Tailback Terry Grant caught four passes for 87 yards and two scores. Receiver Mike McCoy caught six passes for 101 yards. Marquis Maze caught four passes for 58 yards. Tide linebackers Cory Reamer and Charlie Higgenbotham had six tackles each. The defensive backs had three picks, forced two fumbles and broke up eight passes. Defensive back Rashad Johnson picked off two passes, one from Wilson and another from Fanuzzi. He also causes a fumble with a hit on tailback Jeramie Griffin. Defensive end Alfred McCullough had six solo tackles, a sack and two pass deflections. OLE MISS: A record crowd of 28,311 fans saw quarterback Jevan Snead complete 20- of- 26 passes for 269 yards with two scores and one pick in the Grove Bowl last Saturday. The Blue team beat the Red team, 40-14. Tailback Cordera Eason ran seven times for 101 yards. He had a 44- and 46- yard touchdown runs. He didn’t fumble, which was a problem that had plagued him all spring. Tailback Dexter McCluster (5-8, 165) caught eight passes for 106 yards. He also ran five times for 35 yards. Receiver Mike Wallace had five catches for 90 yards. Linebackers Ashlee Palmer and Tony Fein led the team with five tackles. Linebackers Allen Walker, Palmer, Fein and the incoming Patrick Trahan could be one of the strengths of the defense. TENNESSEE: In Saturday’s scrimmage, linebacker Rico McCoy picked off quarterback B. J. Coleman’s (7- of- 19 for 41 yards) pass and returned it 53 yards down to the five-yard line. Six different defenders had pass breakups. Starting quarterback Jonathan Crompton was 17- of- 22 for 146 yards with one pick. He has five picks in three scrimmages. Nick Stephens, the only quarterback to not throw a pick in three scrimmages, completed 10- of- 15 for 55 yards. The defense limited the offense to zero plays over 20 yards. The defensive ends—Robert Ayers, Ben Martin and Wes Brown-- had six of the seven sacks. Defensive tackle Dan Williams had five tackles and one sack. The top three rushers gained 130 yards on 34 carries. Lennon Creer and Tauren Poole combined for 92 yards on 27 carries. Vol coaches are trying to get the ball more to receiver Gerald Jones, who caught seven passes for 55 yards. He also took the ball on a reverse and returned a blocked punt 25 yards for a score. Vol junior tailback Montario Hardesty broke a bone in his foot and will miss the remainder of spring. Berry, who threw for 1,000 yards and ran for 1,500 yards his senior year of high school, lined up at quarterback for a few plays as a part of coach Phil Fulmer’s promise that he could play offense when he was recruited. Middle linebacker Ellix Wilson is hoping to replace Jerod Mayo. Daryl Vereen is making progress in his switch from tailback to safety. Tennessee’s secondary—Deangelo Willingham, Eric Berry, Diametric Morley and Dennis Rogan—continues to play well. ARKANSAS: The Hogs had a 164- play scrimmage on Friday. Senior Alex Mortensen led a struggling offense on two touchdown drives. Tight ends Andrew Davie and D. J. Williams (six catches for 104 yards), who acts like an H-back, and center Jonathan Luigs have been perhaps the two most consistent players this spring. Coach Bobby Petrino said the offensive line could be the strength of the team next year. Quarterback Ryan Mallet is out for the remainder of the spring after he hurt his thumb by hitting a player’s helmet. He was 6- of- 12 for 45 yards in the scrimmage before injuring his thumb. Tailback Michael Smith is back from a hip-pointer. Casey Dick is No. 1 with Mortensen No. 2 and Nathan Dick, No. 3 at the quarterback position. Dick has more responsibility this season than last at quarterback. Coach Bobby Petrino expects his quarterback to make plays. KENTUCKY: This Saturday is the annual spring game. The defense dominated the second scrimmage holding the offense to only one field goal in an 80- minute scrimmage. The wind limited the passing game. Kentucky’s longest play of the scrimmage was a 19- yard run by Moncell Allen (13 carries for 79 yards). Quarterback Curtis Pulley was 8- of -15 for 66 yards and rushed nine times for 34 yards. Mike Hartline was 5- of- 14 for 38 yards. The offense, which converted 20 first downs, picked up 314 yards on 80 plays. Coach Rich Brooks has been continually upset with the play of the receivers. The passing game has been anemic. Senior Dicky Lyons, Jr. has struggled this spring. The running game with the first team offensive line and tailbacks Allen, Derrick Locke, Alfonso Smith and Tony Dixon has been solid. SOUTH CAROLINA: The annual spring game is set for Saturday afternoon. Coach Steve Spurrier met with the parents of Stephen Garcia while he attended the Masters Golf Tournament last week. He said the meeting had no bearing on Garcia’s future. Spurrier also said the Gamecocks are in good shape at running back with Mike Davis, Brian Maddox and Eric Baker. With Kenny McKinley sitting out the spring after turf toe surgery, tight end Jared Cook has been the biggest passing game threat. Weslye Saunders, another tight end, has become a dependable receiver for the quarterbacks to dump the ball to when needed. Receiver Moe Brown has improved his route running and his teammate Larry Freeman has come on due to his blocking. Offensive line coach John Hunt said his unit has made progress throughout the spring. FLORIDA: A record crowd of 61,000 fans witnessed the Orange team beat the Blue team, 28-14, in the annual spring game. Tailback Chris Rainey caught a 65-yard touchdown pass and rushed for 75 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Tim Tebow was 13- of- 21 for 200 yards with two scores and two picks. Rainey was timed at a 4.24 in the 40-yard dash during the fastest man on campus event. Tailback Emmanuel Moody led the Gators in rushing with 111 yards on 14 carries. Moody also fumbled at the goal line toward the end of an 18- yard run when safety Bryan Thomas knocked the ball out and cornerback Markihe Anderson recovered. Riley Cooper led all receivers with five catches for 67 yards. Cornerback Wondy Pierre-Louis had two pass deflections. Defensive end Carlos Dunlap had four sacks and six tackles. Quarterback Cam Newton was 6- of- 18 for 53 yards and 20 yards on 10 carries. Offensive guard Jim Tartt had his shoulder scoped Monday and is expected to be ready for fall drills. Defensive lineman Terron Sanders had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and is expected to recover in four- to- six weeks. GEORGIA: The Bulldogs could have half of its games (South Carolina, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech) televised by CBS. The Tennessee at Georgia game and the LSU at Florida game on Oct. 11 will probably be a part of a 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. doubleheader. CBS has a Nov. 29 doubleheader that will likely be Auburn at Alabama and Georgia Tech at Georgia. ESPN has the Alabama at Georgia game as a priority pick. Former tight end La’Derris Ward is transferring to Oregon. He moved closer to be near his grandmother who has cancer. Coach Mark Richt is taking more than 20 players with him next month to a return five-day mission trip to Honduras. AUBURN: Quarterbacks Kodi Burns and Chris Todd are listed as co-starters on the Auburn post-spring depth chart. Sophomore Mario Fannin will be used primarily as a receiver instead of a running back. James Swinton, who is one of the fastest players on the team, is listed as a first-team receiver. He saw little action under former offensive coordinator Al Borges. ACC NOTES Clemson: The Orange team beat the White team, 16-7, in the spring game before an estimated 25,000 fans. Coach Tommy Bowden said the Tiger defense has a chance to be the best during his tenure with 10 starters returning. Two years ago, the defense finished No. 13 nationally and last year, they were No. 9. During the spring game Saturday, the Orange defense allowed negative nine yards rushing. It is possible that freshman Da’Quan Bowers, who had seven tackles and two sacks, could pass starter Kevin Alexander on the depth chart. Tiger quarterback Cullen Harper was 13- of- 18 for 142 yards and two scores. The offensive line, with a combined 20 starts from three players, continues to struggle after allowing 11 sacks in the spring game. Receiver Xavier Dye had six catches for 87 yards and Aaron Kelly grabbed eight for 108 yards. Quarterback Willy Korn was 14- of- 25 for 117 yards. The offense was without tailback James Davis, recovering from shoulder surgery and receiver Jacoby Ford, who is still rehabbing a broken ankle he sustained during last year’s Maryland game. Since winning the ACC in 1991, Clemson has averaged over 30 points per game four times. Two of those years have come under current offensive coordinator Rob Spence. FLORIDA STATE: The offense took a step back due to many mistakes and turnovers in the spring game Saturday night before 30,000 fans. In the two previous scrimmages, quarterback Christian Ponder was 16- of- 24 for 264 yards and four scores and no picks. During the spring game, he was 12- of- 19 for 140 yards with one touchdown and one pick. D’Vontrey Richardson, who mainly quarterbacked the second team, was 11- of- 25 for 130 yards with one score and one pick. With only seven scholarship offensive linemen available several of the starting offensive line—Rodney Hudson, Ryan McMahon, Evan Bellamy and Will Furlong-- spent time with the second team also. Taiwan Easterling led the receivers with five catches for 81 yards. Preston Parker caught six passes for 76 yards. Defensive back Myron Rolle led the defense with five tackles, one pass breakup and one pick. The Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the spring was Ponder and the MVP of the defense this spring was Dekoda Watson. Nole defensive end Everette Brown and receivers Reed and Easterling had great springs according to the coaches. Yet, the running game and especially Antone Smith, who needs to be pushed by incoming juco Tavares Pressley, struggled to get much done behind an offensive line with little depth. Receiver Greg Carr did little this spring. JUCO receiver transfer Correy Surrency could make an early impact. MIAMI: Ryan Hill is moving from receiver to defensive back; Damien Berry is moving from safety to running back and Luqman Abdallah is moving from defensive tackle to offensive line. Weight room news: Quarterback Robert Marve, who weighs 200 pounds, benches 285, squats 300 and power cleans 200. Last year, tailback Javarris James benched 290, power cleaned 286 and squatted 525. This year, he benches 315, cleans 318 and squats 535. Tailback Graig Cooper benched 270, power cleaned 220 and squatted 440 last year. This year, he benches 310, cleans 242 and squat 425. Receiver Leonard Hankerson had gotten stronger with a 280 pound bench, 286 clean and 390 squat. Receivers coach Aubrey Hill said he has some playmakers this season. He was impressed with freshman Aldarius Johnson’s speed, size and route running. Senior Khalil Jones, a career backup, has worked his way up to first team. Hankerson also caught the eye of the coaches. Sam Sheilds, freshman Jermaine McKenzie and Kayne Farquharson also had their moments. N. C. STATE: Coach Tom O’Brien said his team is vastly different this season compared to last. Russell Wilson, a redshirt freshman, is getting a long look at quarterback. Daniel Evans, the starter at the beginning of last year, is recovering from shoulder surgery. Harrison Beck, who started four games last year, and Justin Burke are the main quarterbacks along with Russell. MARYLAND: In Saturday’s second scrimmage, the defense dominated the offense. Tailback Da’Rel Scott gained 92 yards on 10 carries to lead the team in rushing. The defense had 13 sacks and the same amount of hurries. Sophomore Adrian Moten had two sacks. Quarterback Josh Portis was 8- of -13 for 79 yards. He was sacked three times. Jordan Steffy was 7- of -11 for 77 yards and was sacked six times. Chris Turner was 6- of- 14 for 38 yards and was sacked twice. VIRGINIA: The Cavs finished spring practice with a scrimmage last Saturday. The quarterback situation is up for grabs with Peter Lalich, Scott Deke and Marc Verica combining to throw for 358 yards. Other questions are at guard and center and the kicking game. The Cavs could have some playmakers at receiver with the return of Kevin Ogletree, Maurice Covington, Dontrelle Inman and Kris Burd. Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson will be strong at tailback. Defensively, the linebackers and defensive backs have the most experience. Three new starters have to play next season on the defensive line. VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies have lost two tailbacks this spring. In last Saturday’s scrimmage, Jahre Cheeseman broke his left fibula. Earlier in the week, Kenny Lewis tore the labrum in his shoulder and will miss four- to- six months. In the scrimmage, quarterback Sean Glennon was 13- of -24 for 122 yards with one touchdown and two picks. Tyrod Taylor has missed time with a foot injury. The annual spring game is Saturday. WAKE FOREST: In Saturday’s scrimmage, quarterback Riley Skinner connected with tight end Ben Wooster for a 63-yard scoring pass. BOSTON COLLEGE: Linebacker Brian Toal is back at full strength after undergoing shoulder surgery last year. Offensive guard Thomas Clairborne was hurt in the first scrimmage last Thursday. Quarterback Chris Crane was 12- of- 23 for 124 yards with the first team offense. Dominque Davis did a nice job with the second team. Tailback Josh Haden has the ability to make something exciting happen on every play. OTHER SCHOOLS SOUTHERN MISS: The Black team consisting of mainly the first team beat the Gold team, 31-14, before a crowd of 11,000 in the annual spring game last Saturday. Freshman quarterback Austin Davis made a case for starting with a 17- of- 23 for 207 yards with a touchdown. He also ran seven times for 52 yards. Running back Damion Fletcher ran 12 times for 108 yards. Sophomore Martevious Young was 28- of- 40 for 335 yards with three picks and one touchdown. NEBRASKA: This Saturday is the annual spring game. Interest is so high that $10 tickets are being sold for nearly $100 through brokers.
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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