April 14, 2008

San Jose, CA (UWIRE) -- After more than a month of practices, the 2008 Spartan football team took the field for its annual Spring Game on Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

About 1,000 fans sat in the bleachers, squeezed into shady areas trying to avoid the sun on San Jose's hottest day of 2008 at 87 degrees.

The offense took on the defense, which earned points for interceptions, fumbles recovered, stopping the offense on a fourth down and forcing field goal attempts. The defense destroyed the offense 42-18.

"The defense is ahead of the offense," said head coach Dick Tomey. "If that's not the way it is in your spring practice, in college football, you are really in trouble."

The first play of the game was one of the most entertaining as wide receiver Josh Harrison returned the kickoff for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore safety Devin Newsome had the only interception of the game, picking off quarterback Sean Flynn in the first 10 minutes of play. A few minutes later Flynn found an open lane and ran the ball for 20 yards.

Flynn went on to throw 4 of 13 for 42 yards, and carried the ball four times for a team-high 21 yards.

After the first touchdown, the defense proceeded to dominate the game, leading the first half 33-15.

The offense wasn't completely trampled, with the three quarterbacks, Flynn, Jordan LeSecla and Myles Eden combining to go 11 for 28 and 108 yards.

Eden threw the only touchdown on a 3-yard pass to tight end Jeff Clark.

"I'd say Myles Eden is ahead," Tomey said regarding the competition for the quarterback position.

But, Eden said, "We have four or five quarterbacks in the room that can legitimately come out here and play."

Quarterback Kyle Reed, who transferred from Cal last season, didn't play because of a break in his foot Tomey said, and he won't be back for at least a month.

"Certainly Kyle will get his opportunity," Tomey said.

Jared Strubeck converted two field goals from 27 and 45 yards. Both extra point attempts failed. The first one went wide and during the second attempt, the snap was mishandled.

In receiving, tight end Brian Elledge had two catches for 53 yards, with 30 yards coming on a pass from Flynn, and wide receiver Jordan Johnson had two catches for 41 yards.

The Spartans' rushing game was held in check with running back Chris Reese going for 16 yards on seven carries and Philip Knight had six handles for -1 yards. James Callier and Marcos Garces had one carry each.

The defense recovered three fumbles - two of them forced by linebacker Justin Cole.

During one, LaSecla was brought down hard by safety Pompey Festejo, the ball was fumbled and the recovered by defensive end Jarron Gilbert.

"Obviously, today's about running around hitting people, trying to simulate a game," said Travis Jones, a middle linebacker in his third season with the Spartans.

During the game, Tomey followed the plays on the field. He was also hooked up to the PA system and talked to players and explained things that were going on during plays.

"I think we got through it without a major injury," Tomey said. "I'm really thrilled to death."

(C) 2008 Spartan Daily via UWIRE