The Maize Team beat the Blue Team, 7-6, in the Michigan Football Spring Game at the Big House on Saturday. Entering the first season under head coach Kyle Whittingham, fans got a chance to see the team in action for the first time.
Here’s the recap, highlights and stats from the intrasquad scrimmage.
FIRST QUARTER
The exhibition got underway with a four-yard rush from running back Bryson Kuzdzal, but the first explosive play of the day came moments later as quarterback Bryce Underwood found tight end Eli Owens for a 16-yard gain.
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Underwood nearly hit wide receiver Salesi Moa for a touchdown, but the pass fell incomplete and the Maize Team’s opening drive came to an end. The Blue Team’s opening play was a four-yard rush from running back Jordan Marshall.
Later in the first quarter, the defensive line made an impact as edge rushers Dominic Nichols and Nate Marshall created pressure on consecutive plays. Nichols had a pair of QB pressures, while Marshall was credited with a sack.
SECOND QUARTER
Tommy Carr came into the game at quarterback to open the second quarter, and he quickly led the first scoring drive of the day — recording a 14-yard scramble that eventually led to a 23-yard field goal from kicker Stuart Blake.
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On the ensuing possession, Carr led another impressive drive — marching 55 yards in the final minutes of the half to set up a field goal attempt. However, kicker Trey Butkowski missed wide right. The Blue Team led 3-0 at halftime.
HALFTIME: BLUE 6, MAIZE 0
THIRD QUARTER
Following halftime, Carr led the Blue Team on a second straight scoring drive. Even though the drive stalled out in the second quarter again, Blake connected on a field goal to put the Blue Team up 6-0 with 4:21 left in the third quarter.
Carr continued to play well on the next drive, connecting with wide receiver Kendrick Bell for a 20-yard grab. Later in the third quarter, the Maize Team nearly scored a touchdown but safety Taylor Tatum had a pivotal pass breakup.
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FOURTH QUARTER
With a running clock in effect, the fourth quarter flew by, but one of the best highlights of the day came on a goal-line stand as defensive lineman Bobby Kanka had a hard-hitting tackle at the line of scrimmage to force a turnover on downs.
It appeared the Blue Team was going to be able to run out the remainder of the clock and secure a 6-0 win, before defensive lineman Travis Moten came up with a clutch sack on third down to give the Maize Team a chance for a go-ahead drive.
The drive got started with a 30-yard gain from Carr to wide receiver Jamar Browder, and with just 17 seconds remaining, running back Tomas O’Meara found the end zone for a game-winning touchdown to hand the Maize Team a 7-6 win.
FINAL SCORE: MAIZE 7, BLUE 6
STAT LEADERS:
QB Tommy Carr: 21-for-30 passing, 143 passing yards, 59 rushing yards
RB Savion Hiter: 10 carries, 44 rushing yards
RB Tomas O’Meara: 9 carries, 29 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
WR Salesi Moa: 4 catches, 26 receiving yards
WR Jaime Ffrench: 4 catches, 26 receiving yards
TE Eli Owens: 4 catches, 28 receiving yards
DL Travis Moten: 6 total tackels, 2 sacks
LB Adam Bazzi: 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
DB Kainoa Winston: 6 total tackles, 1 pass deflection
