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DEFENSE SHINES IN FOOTBALL SPRING GAME
4/21/2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Saturday may have marked the end of spring practice, but it was the Hornet defense which looked in mid-season form during the annual spring game.
The defense forced three turnovers and recorded a safety during the 73-play scrimmage inside Hornet Stadium.
The offense began the day backed up at their own 5-yard line for the first two series. The unit earned a first down on the first drive but was stopped during the second when redshirt freshman Gary Ferman was tackled in the end zone by Robert Beale on a screen pass.
The defense kept its pressure going, stopping the offense on its next six drives, including five three-and-outs. The offense was able to get things moving down the field when Mason Magleby hit DeAndre Carter and Blake Robertson for gains of seven and Marcus Mosi for six yards. Facing 4th-and-2 from the defensive 28-yard line, Ferman fought for the first down but was stripped near the first down line. The ball was recovered by redshirt freshman Joshua Armstrong who darted 54 yards down the sideline before being tackled by Magleby.
The offense posted its first points two drives later with a 3-yard touchdown from A.J. Ellis. After a sack stopped the next drive, Ferman found the end zone from two yards out for the offense's second TD. That score was set up by a 23-yard pass from Magleby to Robertson.
The defense took momentum back with an interception and long return by Manasa Kikau.
In the two-minute drill, Safron guided the team on a 75-yard drive which ended in a touchdown. The drive included a 15-yard completion to Shane Harrison and a 14-yard strike to Robertson and was capped by a 28-yard pass to Carter.
The scrimmage ended when Ryan McMahon intercepted Safron in the middle of the field inside the 20-yard line.
Safron completed 9-of-17 passes for 99 yards while Magleby was 6-of-15 for 48 yards. Ellis was the team's leading rusher with 62 yards on 12 attempts. Robertson (44 yards), Carter (42 yards) and Harrison (35 yards) each caught three passes to lead the team.
STATISTICS
PASSING: Safron 9-17-1-99-1; Magleby 6-15-1-48-0; Burnett 2-3-0-7-0.
RUSHING: Ellis 12-62, TD; Furman 9-22, TD; Magleby 2-8; Carter 2-6; Geringer 2-0; Camacho 1-(-2); Safron 11-(-2).
RECEIVING: Robertson 3-44; Carter 3-42; Harrison 3-35; Broadnax 2-11; Agude 1-7; Mosi 1-6; Collins 1-5; Knowles 1-4; Smith 1-2; Ferman 1-(-2).
DEFENSE: McMahon INT; Kikau INT; Armstrong FR.
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