QBs shine in ULM spring game
The ULM Warhawks football team will go into the fall with confidence in the team’s ongoing battle for starting quarterback, but as Saturday proved — the best is yet to come.
Three different quarterbacks threw for more than 100 yards while others like senior Brayle Brown were held out of the annual Maroon & Gold game on JPS Field at Malone Stadium. In the end, Gold held on for a 24-17 win.
Brown, along with several other veteran starters, were held out of the annual spring game by head coach Todd Berry in an effort to give the coaches a longer look at young players.
“One of the things I wanted to do was, we have a mature enough and deep enough football team where we can hold some of this guys out,” Berry said. “And I was excited to see some of our younger guys play.”
Redshirt freshman Garrett Smith put his name in the quarterback discussion with a big day for the Gold team. Smith competed 7-of- 12 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
“It felt good,” Smith said of his performance. “The O-line was giving me a lot of time. The receivers allowing me to make the throws and the coaches’ play calling was actually really good too.”
Snith said competition for the quarterback position will be intense over the summer and fall but each player will remain supportive.
“I think it is going to be competitive, but it is friendly,” Smith said. “Everyone is just going to go do what they do.”
Earnest “Chaz” Carrington completed 9-of-17 passing for 178 yards and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes that almost brought Maroon back from a 24-3 deficit.
Carrington hit wide receiver Marcus Green for a 75-yard touchdown pass with 12:36 left in the game. Carrington connected with wide receiver Brian Williams on a 14-yard strike with 6:12 remaining in the game. Gold was then able to run the clock out.
Despite the loss, Carrington felt like he made strides in the second half.
“Being down is a big motivation, a big key,’’ Carrington said. “The team stayed behind me the whole time, and I really appreciated that. That really motivated me.”
“I am pleased with that (QB) competition,” Berry said. “Brayle (Brown) didn’t play today. He has had a very good spring. Smith showed some signs today not only with his athleticism but with his knowledge base of the offense which was wonderful. Chaz Carrington played extremely well. And then I think Daniel Fitzwater throws the ball nicely. He still has to, obviously, learn a little more about the offense in terms of what is going on. I was pleased with those guys. I am anxious to kind of move forward with them.”
The ULM defense also made its presence known with a pair of interceptions, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
The defense has transitioned this spring with co-coordinators Adam Waugh and Travis Neikamp. Berry will call plays on offense this season.
“It has been very seamless,” Berry said “Philosophy has not changed, but we have tweaked a few things. We didn’t show those things today because of the nature of the game. But there have been some seismic shifts on both sides of the ball and I am excited to move forward and kind of grow our players in that.’’
Connect with Cody on Twitter @cfutrellTNS or via e-mail cfutrell@thenewsstar.com