University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Rob Trubia
Defense Flies, But Offense Wins The Day At Spring Game
4/23/2016 4:50:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – The annual Blue vs. Gold Spring game took place on Saturday. The battle of a veteran, yet young offense versus a raw and energetic defense put on a spectacle for Bears Fans at Nottingham Field.
The team played two regular quarters and then two quarters of running clock with different scenarios and situations throw in.
The offense got the upper hand early and ran away with the game, winning 98-40, but head coach Earnest Collins Jr. said he limited the defensive play calls in order to get some of the younger guys different looks at offensive schemes.
"It was a good day – I did some things on purpose and didn't make some calls because I wanted to see our young corners start to read plays, so I let [Jacob] Knipp air it out to let those corners understand what they need to do on the back end," head coach Earnest Collins Jr. said about the scrimmage. "Those corners have to be good for us if we're going to do what we want to do next year. I know we could put a little less pressure on them by blitzing and pressuring the quarterback, but I don't want to have to do that every time. Overall though, I'm excited where we are at and where we are going heading into the summer."
HAVE A DAY STEVE-O
In the first two quarters of regular play, wide receiver Stephen Miller was the unofficial MVP of the game. Miller was good for 188 yards on six catches with one TD. Miller had three catches of 35 yards or longer, including his 78-yard touchdown catch from redshirt sophomore QB, Jacob Knipp. In the second half, Miller was good for two more haul-ins of 30 yards or more, with a long of 46.
Miller was the top receiver for UNC in 2015, bringing in 439 yards on 32 catches with five TDs. Miller looks to return to his no.1 receiver slot in his senior season and with a better rapport with both quarterbacks (Knipp, Sloter), expect those big plays to be a normality in 2016.
GIVE IT A TRY
Holding out RBs for precautionary reasons, the offense used a few new faces to take handoffs on Saturday. Receiver Ellis Onic II, tight end Theron Verna and full back Quinn Zamora were all used at running back. All three have rarely taken snaps in the backfield, If any, but to everyone's surprise they held their own and made some flash plays.
Onic II touched pay dirt twice in the first half, finishing with 47 yards on 10 carries (4.7 ypc), and tacked on one more TD in the second half as well.
Verna ended the game with 28 yards and eight touches and one catch of 10 yards. Zamora rounded out the crew with five runs for 22 yards and one grab for 11 yards.
"We had some bumps and bruises so you saw some new faces in at running back for us, which was good because now they can understand our offense a little better, but all in all we got out of here with no more injuries and now the kids can rest and focus on school for the next two weeks," Collins added.
THROW IT DEEP
Jacob Knipp and Kyle Sloter both had impressive first half numbers and led long drives that resulted in points for the offense. Knipp ended the afternoon 8-of-14 with 244 yards and one touchdown, while Sloter complimented last season's starter going 13-of-22 with 131 yards and one TD. He also had two INTs in the game.
Sloter put together three scoring drives, with his best of 75 yards in 15 plays with Onic II punching it in from five yards out for six. He also went 65 yards in eight plays, capping it off with a 16-yard TD toss to wide out De'Tuan Williams.
Knipp also had three series of points for the offense. Knipp worked 90 yards on six plays ending with a 38-yard pass to redshirt freshman receiver, Frank Stephens for the score. His second TD pass was on a two-play drive, connecting with Miller for his 78-yard receiving TD.
His third and final scoring series went 66 yards, ending with a nine-yard TD run from Onic II.
SPEED ON THE OUTSIDE
Lavell "Boobie" Sanders looked great at the OLB position for the defense. In 2015 he returned after an severe knee injury and played in nine games for UNC. Sanders notched eight tackles, a sack and one interception throughout his time at backer in the game. Sanders played a mix of both one and two team reps throughout spring practice and his speed on the outside will be a welcome in 2016.
"I'm extremely happy with where the defense is at. Like I said, I didn't let him [Defensive Coordinator James Jones] do a lot of different things on purpose and everyone's competitive so when you look up at the scoreboard and it says 90 to 40, he's upset, but he's been great for us and I can't wait to see them (the defense) get after in the fall."
YOUNG GUNS
CBs Willie Fairman and Marshaun Cameron, along with safety Sherand Boyd Jr. all saw plenty of reps in the game. Boyd had the unofficial hit of the game, lighting up wide out RJ Fulton on a screen pass in the red zone.
Cameron and Fairman still have some things to learn, but have developed over their redshirt seasons into two players that could help bulk the lineup and see extended snaps next fall. Both have great ball awareness and ability to cut routes.
"The good thing about it is that these guys are hungry and they're wanting to learn," Collins added about his young secondary. "The other good thing about it is we don't play until September 3, so they have all summer and all of fall camp to learn and progress, but before we leave for recruiting if we decide we need another guy here or there on either side of the ball, we'll go out and get that done."
The team will transition to player-ran summer workouts and practices, while the coaching staff is off to recruit for its 2017 class.
The team played two regular quarters and then two quarters of running clock with different scenarios and situations throw in.
The offense got the upper hand early and ran away with the game, winning 98-40, but head coach Earnest Collins Jr. said he limited the defensive play calls in order to get some of the younger guys different looks at offensive schemes.
"It was a good day – I did some things on purpose and didn't make some calls because I wanted to see our young corners start to read plays, so I let [Jacob] Knipp air it out to let those corners understand what they need to do on the back end," head coach Earnest Collins Jr. said about the scrimmage. "Those corners have to be good for us if we're going to do what we want to do next year. I know we could put a little less pressure on them by blitzing and pressuring the quarterback, but I don't want to have to do that every time. Overall though, I'm excited where we are at and where we are going heading into the summer."
HAVE A DAY STEVE-O
In the first two quarters of regular play, wide receiver Stephen Miller was the unofficial MVP of the game. Miller was good for 188 yards on six catches with one TD. Miller had three catches of 35 yards or longer, including his 78-yard touchdown catch from redshirt sophomore QB, Jacob Knipp. In the second half, Miller was good for two more haul-ins of 30 yards or more, with a long of 46.
Miller was the top receiver for UNC in 2015, bringing in 439 yards on 32 catches with five TDs. Miller looks to return to his no.1 receiver slot in his senior season and with a better rapport with both quarterbacks (Knipp, Sloter), expect those big plays to be a normality in 2016.
GIVE IT A TRY
Holding out RBs for precautionary reasons, the offense used a few new faces to take handoffs on Saturday. Receiver Ellis Onic II, tight end Theron Verna and full back Quinn Zamora were all used at running back. All three have rarely taken snaps in the backfield, If any, but to everyone's surprise they held their own and made some flash plays.
Onic II touched pay dirt twice in the first half, finishing with 47 yards on 10 carries (4.7 ypc), and tacked on one more TD in the second half as well.
Verna ended the game with 28 yards and eight touches and one catch of 10 yards. Zamora rounded out the crew with five runs for 22 yards and one grab for 11 yards.
"We had some bumps and bruises so you saw some new faces in at running back for us, which was good because now they can understand our offense a little better, but all in all we got out of here with no more injuries and now the kids can rest and focus on school for the next two weeks," Collins added.
THROW IT DEEP
Jacob Knipp and Kyle Sloter both had impressive first half numbers and led long drives that resulted in points for the offense. Knipp ended the afternoon 8-of-14 with 244 yards and one touchdown, while Sloter complimented last season's starter going 13-of-22 with 131 yards and one TD. He also had two INTs in the game.
Sloter put together three scoring drives, with his best of 75 yards in 15 plays with Onic II punching it in from five yards out for six. He also went 65 yards in eight plays, capping it off with a 16-yard TD toss to wide out De'Tuan Williams.
Knipp also had three series of points for the offense. Knipp worked 90 yards on six plays ending with a 38-yard pass to redshirt freshman receiver, Frank Stephens for the score. His second TD pass was on a two-play drive, connecting with Miller for his 78-yard receiving TD.
His third and final scoring series went 66 yards, ending with a nine-yard TD run from Onic II.
SPEED ON THE OUTSIDE
Lavell "Boobie" Sanders looked great at the OLB position for the defense. In 2015 he returned after an severe knee injury and played in nine games for UNC. Sanders notched eight tackles, a sack and one interception throughout his time at backer in the game. Sanders played a mix of both one and two team reps throughout spring practice and his speed on the outside will be a welcome in 2016.
"I'm extremely happy with where the defense is at. Like I said, I didn't let him [Defensive Coordinator James Jones] do a lot of different things on purpose and everyone's competitive so when you look up at the scoreboard and it says 90 to 40, he's upset, but he's been great for us and I can't wait to see them (the defense) get after in the fall."
YOUNG GUNS
CBs Willie Fairman and Marshaun Cameron, along with safety Sherand Boyd Jr. all saw plenty of reps in the game. Boyd had the unofficial hit of the game, lighting up wide out RJ Fulton on a screen pass in the red zone.
Cameron and Fairman still have some things to learn, but have developed over their redshirt seasons into two players that could help bulk the lineup and see extended snaps next fall. Both have great ball awareness and ability to cut routes.
"The good thing about it is that these guys are hungry and they're wanting to learn," Collins added about his young secondary. "The other good thing about it is we don't play until September 3, so they have all summer and all of fall camp to learn and progress, but before we leave for recruiting if we decide we need another guy here or there on either side of the ball, we'll go out and get that done."
The team will transition to player-ran summer workouts and practices, while the coaching staff is off to recruit for its 2017 class.
Players Mentioned
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