Defense controls ESU’s Spring Game as Black squad wins, 7-0
Game’s lone touchdown comes on 1-yard score in 1st quarter
By Jesse Newell
Saturday, April 19, 2008
When the lights came on at Welch Stadium in the Emporia State Spring Game, Garin Higgins saw an unexpected response from his team.
“I think our kids were nervous tonight,” the ESU coach said. “Our younger kids especially were, being thrown in the fire. I think you could see that a little bit.”
In a game dominated by defense, the Black squad edged the White squad, 7-0, in Friday’s annual exhibition.
The lone score came on a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Adrian Abner in the first quarter.
“It was good to see 7-0 on the scoreboard,” ESU linebacker Nathan Linsey said. “We’ve been going against this offense all of spring ball, so it kind of gives us a little bit of an advantage.”
The two teams played a full first quarter, then ended with three 12-minute quarters that had a constantly running clock.
One highlight for the offense was the steady play of the quarterbacks.
Incumbent Andre Sloan El finished 8-of-16 for 107 yards with an interception, while Zach Rampy was able to make plays with both his arm and his feet.
The redshirt freshman completed 10 of 22 passes for 82 yards and also ran 13 times for 25 yards.
“He can scramble,” Linsey said. “He’s just someone that rolls out one way, and the back side (defense) has to stay true to their spot because three seconds later, he could be running across the field. You’ve got to play sound defense against him.”
On a few occasions, Rampy’s instincts and quick feet allowed him to buy some time in the pocket before completing a pass.
“I feel more comfortable throwing off the run and scrambling,” Rampy said. “It’s kind of my comfort zone to scramble, actually.”
ESU saw flashes of good running from the redshirt freshman Abner, who on one play reversed all the way across the field to turn a sure loss into a 10-yard gain.
He ended with 10 carries for 32 yards and also caught two passes for 27 yards.
Seville Ko led all rushers with nine carries for 37 yards.
Andre Maupin paced the receivers with five catches for 62 yards, while Tracy Hageman continued his impressive spring.
The sophomore, who was on the scout team last fall, had three catches for 41 yards and also made a circus catch in the second half, tipping the ball up high and keeping his concentration before tracking it down a few yards downfield.
Higgins said that, as of now, Hageman was penciled in as the team’s No. 2 receiver.
“He doesn’t ever say a word, you don’t know much about him, but he ends up making plays,” Higgins said. “That’s what he’s done all spring.”
ESU will open next season on Aug. 30 at home against Western (Colo.) State. Season tickets are on sale beginning next Friday.
“We’ve got a long ways to go,” Higgins said, “but I think there’s a lot of bright stuff and a lot of things that we can build on.”
ESU Spring Football Game
Friday at Welch Stadium
Black Squad 7, White Squad 0
First Quarter
Black Squad — Adrian Abner 1 run (Wayne Gleason kick)
Rushing
Black Squad — Adrian Abner 10-32, TD, Colby Rainey 4-15, Justin Wieser 2-9, Zach Rampy 5-8, Sean Partridge 1-6, Andre Sloan El 5-(-17); White Squad — Seville Ko 9-37, Zach Rampy, 8-17, Cleo Edwards 2-4, Michael Fulton 1-(-2), Andre Sloan El 1-(-5).
Passing
Black Squad — Andre Sloan El 6-9-1 61, Zach Rampy 5-10-0 61. White Squad — Andre Sloan El 2-7-0 46, Zach Rampy 5-12-0 21.
Receiving
Black Squad — Tracy Hageman 3-41, Sean Partridge 3-30, Adrian Abner 2-27, Justin Wieser 1-16, Lucas Sullivan 1-7, Matt Coursen 1-1. White Squad — Andre Maupin 5-62, Seville Ko 1-7, Cleo Edwards 1-(-2).
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