FAMU Orange & Green Game Had All The Excitement

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Orange and Green game answered several questions about this Spring’s 15 days of practice. The offense proved that it has picked up a good portion of Willie Simmons’ offense, while the defense showed that it will be the leaders of the team with a veteran squad of players that demonstrated their ability to dominate and make plays. Though everyone came to see the game, it was the biggest formal welcome back to the Big Bend of Willie Simmons to date.

“I thought today was a very productive day. I wanted to see the guys get out there and compete on both sides of the ball. Doing an offense versus defense scrimmage is always a little dicey with the scoring systems, so it was good seeing the game being close…competitive game. Defense was making plays indicative of their scores of tackles-for-loss, interceptions, three-and-outs…things of that nature gave them their points. Offense was able to put some drives together. Guys made some really good individual plays. It was a good scrimmage, a great culmination of 15 productive days of spring ball,” Simmons said.

SPRING GAME PHOTO ALBUM


A bevy of family, friends, classmates and other associates packed together on the west side of the stadium, including Simmons’ wife Shaia and their children. It was a family affair as fans of all ages congregated in Bragg Stadium.

Ryan Stanley distanced himself as the Rattlers’ starting quarterback. With an offense based on options on virtually every play, Stanley has adapted well to the new freedoms the playbook offers. He wasted no time in the game, hitting Chad Hunter on a 75-yard bomb on the first play from scrimmage to ignite the 7,622 in attendance. They would connect again on another drive where Hunter made a diving catch in the end zone on a perfectly placed pass outside the reach of defenders.

Stanley was pleased with the team’s adaptation of the wide-open offense Simmons and staff have implemented. “It’s a really fun offense to play in. It allows us to use our playmakers. Chad was doing what Chad does, which is make plays. I think he’s one of the best, not just in our conference,” Stanley said. Dock Luckie also got into the act, hauling in a TD pass in the scrimmage.

Simmons was aggressive with installing his offense. “ We installed 90-percent of the offense this Spring. It was aggressive, but they absorbed most of it and they can build on it in the offseason,” Simmons said.

Tahj Tolbert is showing improvement in evolving into the backup signal caller. DJ Phillips and Mack Green, formerly a defensive back, also got snaps under center in the game.

Devin Bowers and Bishop Bonnett carried the load in the backfield. Ricky Henrilus was held out of the game with a tweaked ankle, but was very animated and involved in the game from the sideline.

While defensive standouts Terry Jefferson and Jabril Hazly led the defense, there was a point in the game where the defensive line totally dominated the line of scrimmage. Jefferson said their success depends on the men up front. “We can’t be successful as a defense without the guys up front. The game is controlled there. They allow us to fly around and do what we need to do, but it’s not possible if a team controls the line of scrimmage. It was a total team effort,” Jefferson said.

A very responsive crowd was in attendance looking to see what the 2018 season might bring. The north parking lot at Bragg Stadium was filled with tailgaters and revelers hoping to get a glimpse of the Rattlers’ glorious past. FAMU Sports Hall of Famer Ken Riley drove up from Bartow to deliver the pre-game speech. He and FAMU Director of Athletics John Eason played together under legendary head coach Jake Gaither. Also in attendance was former ESPN and Fox Sports anchor Fred Hickman.

The game was a jumbalaya of alumni, friends, fans and students. The FAMU Student Government Association commandeered the north end zone for a tailgate with free food, bounce houses, ice cream and DJs. Popular radio DJs, DJ Dap and DJ E-Zone, kept the sounds going between the action and the Marching “100” pep band playing.

While the Marching “100” was there, they conceded halftime to the Greek student organizations. The “Divine 9,” HBCU Greek organizations performed at midfield, strolling to their theme songs.

“This was a really great turnout. The atmosphere was amazing. I’m really encouraged about the direction we’re headed in and looking forward to a great offseason and hopefully continue to build in our quest to win a MEAC championship,” Simmons concluded.

FAMU Orange & Green Game 2018

Quick Facts

• Today marked the first look at new head coach Willie Simmons at the helm of the Rattlers
• Announced attendance was 7,622
• FAMU quarterback Ryan Stanley passed for over 200 yards, including a strike of 75 yards to Chad Hunter
• FAMU receiver Chad Hunter caught passes for over 150 yards, including a touchdown
• Bishop Bonnett was the team’s leading rusher with 60+ yards
• Safety Terry Jefferson, Vandrick Verdier and Jabril Hazly were the leading tacklers for FAMU
• McKinley Horton grabbed two picks on the defensive end. Chris Jerry also got an interception.
• Bishop Bonnett was also the team’s leading return man with
• Quarterbacks Tahj Tolbert, DJ Phillips and Mack Green (converted from DB) all got snaps in today’s scrimmage.
• Chad Hunter (2) Dock Luckie, Devin Bowers all scored touchdowns

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY RATTLERS SPORTS INFORMATION 

North Carolina A&T;s Thomas Wins 100 Meters At Duke

DURHAM, North Carolina – The North Carolina A&T’s track and field teams competed at the Duke Invitational and combined for 16 top-10 finishes at Morris Williams Stadium. The Aggie men’s track and field team won the 100-meter invite and tallied three personal records and three season bests. The Aggie women produced six personal records and two season bests.

Senior sprinter Joel Thomas (10.51) won the 100 and freshman Michael Bell (10.76) placed third. In the 110-meter hurdles, sophomore Robert Miller (14.16) finished second with his top time of the outdoor season. Miller is tied for fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Senior TeQuille Jackson finished the 110mh in 15.14 for a seventh-place finish after running 14.63 in the preliminaries. Freshman Chase (52.65) ran a personal-best 52.65 to finish third in the 400mh. He is now fourth in the conference in the event.

DUKE INVITATIONAL RESULTS

Senior Corey Aiken (1:51.67) ran his fastest time of the season in the 800 meters to place 18th. In the 3000-meter steeplechase, sophomore Daquan Maddox (9:57.18) clocked a personal record to finish 16th. Senior Hakeem Mustafaa (9:58.83) ran a season-best 9:58.83 to finish 19th. Maddox and Mustafaa rank seventh and eighth in the MEAC.

In the field events, senior Nehemiah Lipford leaped 6-feet, 7-inches to place ninth while Bell placed ninth in the long jump at 22-feet, 2 ½ inches. Senior Aaron Deane jumped 44-feet, 5 ½ inches to finish 10th in the triple jump.

Junior Kennedy Thorne was the top finisher on the women’s side at Duke. Thorne was the runner-up in the 400mh by running a personal-record 59.77 to move into second in the MEAC rankings. Sophomore Sun-Sara Williams posted two personal records in the 400m and 200m events. Williams was fourth in the 400 (54.40) and sixth in the 200 (23.34).

Freshman Payton Russell also broke her personal record in the 400 at 55.61. Sophomore Jade Smith (15.06) came in fourth in the 100mh and sophomore Kristoni Barnes ran a personal-record 2:08.80 to place 10th in the 800. She ranks second in the conference. Senior Morgan Knight tied her personal best in the pole vault with a mark of 12-feet, 5-inches to finish seventh. Freshman Royce Johnson was ninth in the long jump at 18-feet, 2 ½ inches.

The Aggies will have competitors at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, La., April 27-28 before returning to N.C. A&T’s Irwin Belk Track for the MEAC Outdoor Championships, May 3-5.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State University makes history in Selma bringing spring practice to Memorial Stadium

SELMA, Alabama -- Alabama State University head football coach Donald Hill-Eley picked a perfect day to bring his football team to Selma to wrap up their third week of spring practice.

For the first time, a Division I collegiate football program had a full practice at Memorial Stadium that was free and open to the public.

Alumni, fans and local high school kids came out to watch the Hornets go through position drills and scrimmage.



Sam Johnson, ASU class of 1976 and father of Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, was in the stands to watch his alma mater practice.

“This is a big step forward just to see this satellite camp brought to Selma,” he said. “I’m so proud of what we’re doing at Alabama State now. The historically black colleges need to have an anchor and be promoted. You get the chance to see a different side of these historically black colleges. It’s great exposure, makes an impact and is a great recruiting tool.”

Between Michael’s high school games at Dallas County, college games at Georgia Tech and professional games in the NFL, Sam hasn’t seen his Hornets play in more than 20 years.

“I remember when we were back in the SIAC, and in that particular time, we were dominating the SIAC,” he said. “The greatest competition I think we had was Alabama A&M. The great Magic City Classic. Boy, that was something to look forward to.”

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Meet-record 258 points propel Nuggets to GCAC repeat

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana repeated Saturday as women's team champion of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium, winning six events on day two and scoring a meet-record 258 points.

XULA's men scored 123 points — nearly twice as many they had the previous two years combined— and finished second.

  The Gold Nuggets' individual champions were Taylor Price in the 5,000-meter run (22 minutes, 37.48 seconds), Raven Davis in the 100 hurdles (15.33), Maliya Vaughan in the 3,000 steeplechase (13:20.61), Ry-Anne Riley in the long jump (5.48 meters/17 feet, 11 3/4 inches), Alysia Terry in the triple jump (11.38 meters/37 feet, 4 inches) and Calah Williamsin the discus (34.75 meters/114 feet).
     
The XULA women won eight titles overall. On Friday Price won the 10,000, and Tamia Scott won the javelin. Price (5,000) and Riley were repeat champions.
     
Meeting B-qualifying standards for the NAIA National Championships were Justyce Riggs (24.89) and Riley (25.00) in the 200. Riggs's time is the the fastest by a XULA woman in four years.
     
The Nuggets' 400 relay team of Martina Latting, Alexis Milton, Riggs and Riley finished second in a school-record 46.45.
     
Christopher August won his second individual men's title of the meet, the 5,000 (17:35.86). August teamed with Damoy Boyd, Ammiel Williams and Oji Wells for the 3,200 relay title (8:38.32). August won the 10,000 Friday.
     
XULA's Joseph Moses was voted GCAC Women's Coach of the Year by his peers. The Gold Nuggets have won five of the last six GCAC titles.
     
The league coaches voted Terry a share of GCAC Women's Field Athlete of the Year with Ellexsie Haughton of Edward Waters.
     
The Gold Nuggets beat the previous GCAC women's record of 218 points by Dillard in 2012. XULA's previous high was 213 points in 2014. XULA's 96-point winning margin also was the largest by a GCAC women's team. The previous high winning margin was Dillard's 76 in 2012, and XULA's previous best was 72 in 2004.
     
SUNO was second in women's points with 162.
     
Edward Waters scored a men's meet-record 304 points to win its fourth consecutive title.
     
XULA will compete in three weeks in a last-chance meet at William Carey (Hattiesburg, Miss.), then travel to Gulf Shores, Ala., for NAIA nationals May 24-26.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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XULA wins three events on opening day of GCAC meet

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana won 3-of-6 events Friday in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium.
     
Tamia Scott won the women's javelin (36.59 meters/120 feet), Taylor Price won the women's 10,000-meter run (49 minutes, 2.92 seconds), and Christopher August won the men's 10K (35:35.57).
     
XULA produced a pair of seconds — Evan Simmons in the men's hammer (29.49 meters/96 feet, 9 inches) and Hajjia Mohammed in the women's 10K (50:39.55).
     
Edward Waters (42 points) and the Gold Nuggets (34) were the only women's teams to score. Edward Waters leads the men with 64 points, followed by XULA with 20, Dillard with four and Philander Smith with two. SUNO also is competing.
     
Scott produced a XULA PR and dethroned teammate Drew Chatters, who was seeking to become the fourth woman to win the same GCAC individual event four times. Chatters, competing for the only time this season, placed third with 35.61 meters/116 feet, 10 inches.
     
Simmons became the first Gold Rush athlete in 14 years to score in the hammer at the GCAC meet.
     
The men's and women's 10Ks made their debut at this event, so August and Price were credited with meet records. Including cross country, the victory was August's third at the conference level and Price's fourth.
     
The meet will resume at 10 a.m. Saturday with the high jump, long jump and shot put. Running events will start at 10:15 a.m. The final event, the 1,600 relay for women and men, is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Admission is free. XULA seeks to repeat as women's team champion.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Three takeaways from Florida A&M's spring game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M’s Orange and Green Spring Game got started with a bang.

On the first play from scrimmage, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chad Hunter – a former Rickards standout -- got the 7,622 fans in Bragg Memorial Stadium on their feet.

Hunter got behind the Orange defense on a skinny post route and then outran the defense to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown from returning starting quarterback Ryan Stanley.

It was his first touchdown of the day.

Hunter added another touchdown on an 11-yard catch on a diving reception in the back of the end zone on the next possession.

“That’s my guy. That’s a playmaker, and that’s what playmakers got to do. My job as a quarterback is just to get the ball in his hands... Chad’s definitely one of the best in this conference or otherwise.”

Hunter certainly proved that he had playmaking ability last season -- he was FAMU’s leading receiver in 2017 with 571 yards and six touchdowns – and it doesn’t look like he’s going to be taking a step back this year.

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2-day GCAC Championships begin Friday at Tad Gormley

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women have a title to defend, and the men will try to climb in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium.
     
Admission is free to the meet, which has start times of 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. The final event, the 1,600-meter relay for women and men, is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Saturday. Tad Gormley Stadium is in City Park, about three miles from the XULA campus.
     
For the first time the GCAC will contest this event over two days. Friday's events will be the hammer, javelin and 10,000-meter run. The latter event is making its GCAC meet debut.
     
XULA's Gold Nuggets seek their fifth women's team title in six years. They outscored Edward Waters 183-177 for last year's championship.
     
The Gold Nuggets have the GCAC's top time or distance this season in six events:Brianna Pace in the 800-meter run (2 minutes, 25.18 seconds), Raven Davis in the 100 hurdles (15.26), Ireyon Keith in the long jump (5.49 meters/18 feet, one-quarter inch), Alysia Terry in the triple jump (11.59 meters/38 feet, one-quarter inch), Calah Williams in the discus (35.90 meters/117 feet, 9 inches) and the 3,200 relay team of Pace, Maliya Vaughan, Taylor Price and Clarke Allen (10:05.15). Returning champions for the XULA women are Price in the 1,500 and 5,000, Drew Chatters in the javelin and Ry-Anne Riley in the long jump.
     
Chatters, the school and conference meet record holder in her event, will attempt to become the fourth woman to win the same GCAC individual event four times.
     
Three of the four Nuggets from last year's GCAC-champion 400 relay team — Martina Latting, Alexis Milton and Riley — also return, and they'll be joined by Justyce Riggs. Their time of 46.66 from five weeks ago is a XULA record and No. 3 in the NAIA this year.
     
Price will not defend either of her titles. She'll run in the 10,000, 800 and 3,200 relay.
     
XULA's men scored 83 points at the 2015 GCAC meet but dipped to 30 points in 2016 and scored 34 a year ago. Three Gold Rush freshmen — Damoy Boyd in the 1,500 (4:16.89), Brandon Matthews in the triple jump (14.31 meters/46 feet, 11 1/2 inches) and Edward Angel in the high jump (2.07 meters/6 feet, 9 1/2 inches) — have the GCAC's best marks this season. Returning to defend his triple jump title is Keairez Coleman.
     
Matthews's and Angel's performances already have qualified them for next month's NAIA National Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala. The Nuggets' NAIA qualifiers are Terry in the triple jump, Latting, Milton and Riggs in the 100, Kayla Quincy and Ariane Williams in the 400, the 400 relay and the 1,600 relay team of Janelle Jones, Quincy, Riley and Williams.
     
Angel and Edward Waters sophomore Farrin Brownlowe (2.03 meters/6 feet, 8 inches) rank 3-9 nationally in the high jump. Brownlowe is the defending GCAC champion.
     
XULA's women are 23rd in this week's NAIA Outdoor National Team Computer Rankings, which are complied by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Gold Nuggets were 15th the previous week.
     
Edward Waters seeks its fourth consecutive GCAC men's team title and sixth in seven years. The Tigers scored a meet-record 303 points a year ago.
     
The meet schedule:

Friday, April 20
Field Events
4 p.m.	Men's Hammer (women to follow)
4 p.m.	Women's Javelin (men to follow)
Track Event (in meters)
6:45 p.m.	Women's 10,000 (men to follow)
Saturday, April 21
Field Events
10 a.m.	Men's High Jump (women to follow)
10 a.m.	Women's Long Jump (men to follow)
10 a.m.	Women's Shot Put (men to follow)
1:45 p.m.	Men's Discus (women to follow)
1:45 p.m.	Women's Triple Jump (men to follow)
1:45 p.m.	Men's Pole Vault (women to follow)
Track Events (in meters)
10:15 a.m.	3,000 Steeplechase Women/Men
10:55 a.m.	National Anthem
11 a.m.	400 Relay Women/Men
11:20 a.m.	1,500 Women/Men
11:50 a.m.	100 Hurdles Women
Noon	110 Hurdles Men
12:15 p.m.	400 Women/Men
12:45 p.m.	3,200 Relay Women/Men
1 p.m.	Break
2 p.m.	100 Women/Men
2:20 p.m.	400 Hurdles Women/Men
2:45 p.m.	800 Women/Men
3:15 p.m.	200 Women/Men
3:30 p.m.	5,000 Women/Men
4:45 p.m.	1,600 Relay Women/Men

GCAC Championships Team Scoring
Men
Year	Champion	Points		Runner-up	Points
2004	XULA	92		SUNO	24
2011	Dillard	161 1/2		Edward Waters	136
2012	Edward Waters	217		Dillard	192
2013	Edward Waters	212		Dillard	188
2014	Dillard	178		Edward Waters	153
2015	Edward Waters	156		Dillard	121
2016	Edward Waters	200		Dillard	166
2017	Edward Waters	303		Dillard	149
Women
Year	Champion	Points		Runner-up	Points
2004	XULA	82		SUNO	10
2011	XULA	138 1/2		Dillard	133
2012	Dillard	218		(tie) Edward Waters, SUNO	142
2013	XULA	184		Edward Waters	175
2014	XULA	213		Dillard	168
2015	XULA	202		Edward Waters	158
2016	Dillard	176		SUNO	159
2017	XULA	183		Edward Waters	177

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Simmons, Keith, Riggs collect GCAC weekly awards

NEW ORLEANS — For the fourth time this season, Xavier University of Louisiana swept the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards in track and field. The winners for April 9-15 are:
     •  Men's field — Evan Simmons.
     •  Women's field — Ireyon Keith.
     •  Women's track — Justyce Riggs.
     
There were no nominees in men's track.
     
Simmons, a freshman from Houston and a graduate of Cypress Falls High School, posted top-eight finishes in the discus, hammer and shot put at the Southeastern Strawberry Relays. His shot put mark of 10.48 meters/34 feet, 4 3/4 inches is XULA's longest since it restarted men's track and field in 2010.
     
Keith, a senior from Tickfaw, La., and a graduate of Independence High School, produced the Gold Nuggets' and the GCAC's best mark of 2018 in the long jump — 5.49 meters/18 feet, one-quarter inch.
     
Riggs, a sophomore from Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and a graduate of Choctawhatchee High School, ran the Gold Nuggets' fastest 100-meter time in two years — 12.04 seconds. Her time of 25.26 in the 200 was a XULA PR.
     
The GCAC awards are the first for Simmons and Keith and the fifth for Riggs, who won four times this season as a member of the 400 relay squad.
     
The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will compete Friday and Saturday in the GCAC Championships at NOLA's Tad Gormley Stadium.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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A&T's Femi Olujobi generating plenty of interest as potential graduate transfer

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- For Femi Olujobi to keep himself on track to graduate this summer, he’s had to ensure his phone is turned off and put away once he steps into the classroom.

More than 50 programs have called this week after he announced he has received his release from N.C. A&T to explore the possibility of spending his final season of eligibility elsewhere as a graduate transfer.

“I feel like I’m coming out of high school all over again,” he said. “It’s been a roller coaster these past few days, I can’t even put my phone down … it’s fun — and stressful — but it just goes to show what putting in the work can do for you.”



Olujobi is in high demand after one season with the Aggies, where he burst onto the scene with 34 points in his debut and let the nation in scoring for several weeks before averaging 16.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in helping A&T to its first 20-win season since 2012-13.

Butler University is in the mix for a player who could become the third New Yorker on its college basketball roster.

Femi Olujobi, a 6-8 power forward from North Carolina A&T, announced Saturday on Twitter that Butler is among his final four transfer destinations. The others are Georgetown and DePaul, also in the Big East, and Hofstra.

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Alcorn State football officially tabs former WVU star Pat White as QB coach

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Former West Virginia University football standout Pat White has been officially announced as the new quarterbacks coach at Alcorn State in Lorman, Mississippi.

White will be working for head coach Fred McNair and offensive coordinator Ryan Stanchek, who once blocked for White.

Alcorn State is a member of the Football Championship Subdivision’s Southwestern Athletic Conference and is an HBCU, which stands for historically black colleges and universities.

“I’ve always dreamed of being on the sidelines at an HBCU school,” White said via the school. “I grew up on HBCU sports and both of my parents went to HBCU schools. For me growing up, it was always HBCU all-day, every day.”

“Pat is going to be a great addition for us,” McNair said. “He’s been on campus and has gotten a chance to meet some of the student-athletes already and will be a great mentor and coach for them.

“I know Pat is excited to be here and he’ll help us both coaching and recruiting. We’re very happy to have him and we know he’ll make a big impact for our program.”



Just a short eleven years ago, Mountaineer nation said goodbye to one of the most beloved Mountaineers of all-time and possibly the best player to ever put on a West Virginia uniform, Pat White. White was the first quarterback in college football to win all four bowl games throughout his career and guided the Mountaineers to a 34-8 record over that span.

Aside from that, he broke multiple school and national records including the most rushing yards accumulated by a quarterback in college football with 4,480 total rushing yards. He is regarded as one of college football’s greats and one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the history of the sport at the collegiate level.

After a brief stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins, a career that was shortened due to injuries, his focus now turns to coaching. White has been officially named as the quarterbacks coach at Alcorn State, who is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

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Florida A&M offense adjusting well to new system

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M's offense looks a little different with new head coach Willie Simmons at the helm.

"This offense has multiple options," Simmons said.

"I don’t ever put a percentage on run-pass because I don’t know. We call a play, and there are multiple options within that play. The option to run the ball or pass the ball, and it’s up to the quarterbacks to make the right decision.

"One week it may be 70-30. The next week it might be 30-70. We don’t talk about the percentages. We just want to be efficient and take what the defense is giving us."

Gone are the days when the offense would huddle in-between plays and line up under center.

During the Orange and Green Spring Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, every snap taken by the Green team -- the Green team consisted of the offense, while the Orange team was the defense -- from the shotgun, and the only huddles came before a drive started and during timeouts.

The Green team won 36-33 -- the defense was awarded points for making plays -- though the actual offense scored 31.

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Florida A&M's defensive line stands out in Orange and Green Game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M's defense impressed in new head coach Willie Simmons' debut in Saturday's Orange and Green Game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

But you wouldn't have known it from the first play.

The Green team -- consisting of all the offensive players -- connected on a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage with a crowd of 7,622 in attendance.

The defensive response from there was a resounding one.

"The offense tested us on the first play of the game with a touchdown pass, but we're a battle-tested defense. I feel like we came back at them strong. We got a couple turnovers to get us going, couple TFLs, couple sacks," junior defensive back Terry Jefferson said.

"We fought back."

Instead of the usual method of dividing the roster in half for the spring game, Simmons elected to pit the offense against the defense, forcing the defense to score points by creating sacks and turnovers and by forcing punts.

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