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AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
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pesik Offline
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Exclamation AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
Tulsa doesn't have the spring game till next week and Temple not for 2 weeks but here are the "what we've learned" and the storylines at the end of spring

Tulane: Nick Montana is poised to potentially lose the starting qb job and the crowd favorite seems to be freshman Tanner Lee, tulane also dealing with some depth issues

USF: usf's offense supposedly looks dramatically better after a horrendous showing last year and Sophomore QB Mike White is favored to start but PSU transfer Steven bench has been making a late push with a strong spring game

UCONN: QB Casey Cochran (RS-Soph) who started the last 4 games for UCONN and won 3 of them (aka uconns only wins) seems to be outperformed by uconns original starter whitmer (SR.) as well as the original #2 tim boyle (true soph) in the spring game. depending on how much Coach Diaco uses last years film or just his own evaluations in deciding the starter, uconn might be heading for deep qb competition come fall.

Houston: who led the nation in forcing turnover hasn't lost a step looking just as opportunistic as ever during spring. and #2 qb greg ward who played wildcat/change of pace qb last year is poised to be a starting WR next year.

Memphis: Run game looks to be very strong next year and Memphis looks to be changing offensive philosophies next year switch from a time of possession game to a more uptempo offense

Cincy: gunner kiel looks to be the real deal atleast from his spring game performance throwing 300yds and 3 tds. munchie was expected to make a push in his return in summer but its unlikely gunner will be unseated especially with tubbs having so much faith in him.

ECU: the offense was able to show up big time after a bad showing in a scrimmage a few weeks ago. Chris Hairston impressed in spring has shown he could potentially fill the hole left by Graduated RB Vintavious Cooper

SMU: Soph. QB neal burcham has shown enough to june jones for him to believe he will be the starter come fall. june believes his WR's need some work, mostly inexperienced as smu's biggest weapons graduated, and is extremely confident in his defense saying they will have nfl calibur safeties next year

UCF: Stanback had a very good spring and looks to potentially have a big season next year. oleary also has confidence in defense but acknowledges the qb play needs to improve come fall. he announced he would name the QB starter on Monday. most likely Holman (will update when its official)

am i missing anything? want to add anything?

will bump thread after temple and tulsa are done spring with their storylines
(This post was last modified: 04-13-2014 06:24 PM by pesik.)
04-13-2014 03:43 PM
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pesik Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
for old times sake UL & Rutgers

Louisville: not sure if it's an indication of UL's Offense being that good or their defense being not so good, but louisville put unreal numbers in their spring game (951 yards and 11 touchdowns). whatever the case petrino will have UL an offensive minded team unlike the defensive minded team they had under strong. Will Gardner looks to be the early favorite at QB

Rutgers spring doesn't end for 2 weeks
(This post was last modified: 04-13-2014 08:13 PM by pesik.)
04-13-2014 04:41 PM
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Maize Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 04:41 PM)pesik Wrote:  for old times sake UL & Rutgers

Louisville: not sure if it's an indication of UL's Offense being that good or their defense being not so good, but louisville put unreal numbers in their spring game (951 yards and 11 touchdowns). whatever the case petrino will have UL an offensive minded team unlike the defensive minded team they had under stronger. Will Gardner looks to be the early favorite at QB

Rutgers spring doesn't end for 2 weeks

With Louisville different approaches...Offensive Mindset-(Petrino) vs. Defensive Mindset-(Strong)...it was 1's vs. 2's...the only thing I took from it was Will Gardiner will be an adequate replacement for Bridgewater due to Petrino system and DeVonte Parker could be poise for a hellva Senior year...it also appears that Michael Dyer is healthy and the rust is off...
04-13-2014 05:12 PM
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ecumbh1999 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
ECU may have found yet another hinden gem, Chris Love a walk-on had a 71 yard rushing TD that looked a lot like CJ2k just pulling away from everyone.

http://vimeo.com/91818310
(This post was last modified: 04-13-2014 05:23 PM by ecumbh1999.)
04-13-2014 05:21 PM
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Chappy Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
Two things I took away; Kurt Benkert (13-9-0, 133 yards, 2 TD) looks like a worthy successor to Shane Carden.

It should be clear now to all the C-USA rivals who were accusing us of running up the score late last season why we didn't bring in Benkert in relief while backup QB Cody Keith was injured; he'll be a RS Sophomore after Shane's senior season and would be a Junior if we had used him in mop-up duty last year.

Secondly, the Pirates only committed one penalty in the game. I am encouraged by that.
(This post was last modified: 04-13-2014 05:37 PM by Chappy.)
04-13-2014 05:36 PM
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ecumbh1999 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 05:36 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Two things I took away; Kurt Benkert (13-9-0, 133 yards, 2 TD) looks like a worthy successor to Shane Carden.

It should be clear now to all the C-USA rivals who were accusing us of running up the score late last season why we didn't bring in Benkert in relief while backup QB Cody Keith was injured; he'll be a RS Sophomore after Shane's senior season and would be a Junior if we had used him in mop-up duty last year.

Secondly, the Pirates only committed one penalty in the game. I am encouraged by that.

Only one was called, saw more, two pass interference, 2 holds that I saw. I'm sure the coaches will see them on the tape and address it. The O-line did well and that wasn't the starting OL several out with injury and still got two JUCO's coming in during the first Summer season, including the UofL flip.
04-13-2014 05:44 PM
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TU77CAL82 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
Quote:Tulane . . . crowd favorite seems to be freshman Tanner Hill

Tanner Lee, actually
04-13-2014 06:11 PM
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pesik Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 06:11 PM)TU77CAL82 Wrote:  
Quote:Tulane . . . crowd favorite seems to be freshman Tanner Hill

Tanner Lee, actually

my bad was a typo, fixed it
04-13-2014 06:24 PM
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BullsFanInTX Online
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
Mike white was the supposed number one all spring for usf. Then bench went out and tore it up during the spring game. Bench did have all the number one receivers though. Be interesting to see what happens now and whether white holds onto job.
04-13-2014 08:01 PM
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Ramen_Tiger Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
Paxton Lynch is coming into his own and the recievers were actually catching the balls
04-13-2014 08:26 PM
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JHG722 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
We already know a lot despite our spring game not being for another almost two weeks.

PJ Walker is PJ Walker. Reilly is a veteran backup with starting experience, but not a lot of depth overall. Two true freshmen QBs incoming.

A lot of RB depth between Kenny Harper, Zaire Williams, Jamie Gilmore, and R-FR Jabo Lee. Not to mention true freshman David Hood. 1,325 rushing yards and 12 TDs last year between Harper, Williams, and Gilmore.

WR has talent, but replacing Robbie Anderson is the key thing. Unfortunately, R-SO Sam Benjamin re-fractured his clavicle which was the same injury that cost him nearly all of last year. We have 5, as many as 6 freshmen WRs incoming depending on where Delvon Randall plays. 6'4 midyear enrollee Derrek Thomas might be the most promising of the group, as well as 6'5 MS native Matt Eaton. We needed tall WRs with speed, and bring in 3 WRs over 6'2. 5'11 JR Brandon Shippen moved from CB to WR and has looked good. We're not really going to utilize the TE position much, so we need our bigger WRs like Romond Deloatch to step up this year.

OL has battled injuries, but I dont believe anything major. Everyone should be good for the season. Class headliner 4* Aaron Ruff should challenge to start as a true freshman. Some pretty good OL talent, but not a lot of depth.

DL is still a major question. R-FR Brian Carter has been mentioned often as a player who has showed a lot in practice. Our DL is very undersized with only 2 players 300+ lbs. (one freshman), and only 3 others over 250 lbs. True freshmen Michael Dogbe (#2 in NJ in sacks) and Freddie Booth-Lloyd are two to watch.

LB should be good. Not a large group, but very athletic. Tyler Matakevich should be on a lot of watch lists.

Secondary was probably the biggest concern last year. We added two JUCO studs in All American Alex Wells and Shahid Lovett. According to reports, Wells has been every bit as good as advertised. Lovett, unfortunately, has been injured and is likely out for the spring. We added walk on R-JR Boye Aromire from Virginia Tech, who had offers from UNC, WVU, Illinois and Maryland out of high school. We added freshman midyear enrollee Cequan Jefferson, who was a former Virginia Tech commit. We also bring in one of the top DB classes in the country, so our secondary should be significantly better.

Kicking should be better. Jim Cooper supposedly looks significantly better. We bring in freshman Austin Jones who will compete for starting kicker. No clue what's going on at punter.
04-13-2014 08:48 PM
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Knightshift Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 03:43 PM)pesik Wrote:  UCF: Stanback had a very good spring and looks to potentially have a big season next year. oleary also has confidence in defense but acknowledges the qb play needs to improve come fall. he announced he would name the QB starter on Monday. most likely Holman (will update when its official)

am i missing anything? want to add anything?

will bump thread after temple and tulsa are done spring with their storylines

Stanback didn't have a particularly great spring. He ran himself in O'Leary's doghouse a little bit. But he is by and far the best RB, and unless he has 'tude problems in the fall, he will definitely carry the load. He had a bum ankle for the latter part of spring, and perhaps that's why he played sparingly in the spring game. But when was in there, he looked like a man among boys. Between Stanback and a superb WR corps, whoever the QB ends up being won't be heavily relied upon to win games (but he'll obviously have to at some point). His job will be to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers. I expect we'll see a heavy dose of Stanback, and short/screen passes to get the ball in the hands of Worton, Perriman, Hall, Reese, and Williams and let them do what they do best. Offense will probably be a little more basic than last season. My biggest concern is how the new look OL will perform. They gave up a lot of sacks yesterday, however the "2 hand touch" rule on the QB was in effect, so that was probably exaggerated. Defense should be very solid. Hopefully they can be a better pass rush D than they were last season.
04-13-2014 08:55 PM
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tnzazz Offline
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AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 08:26 PM)Ramen_Tiger Wrote:  Paxton Lynch is coming into his own and the recievers were actually catching the balls

Yep, and with our defense, we will not be fun to play.
04-13-2014 08:57 PM
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Ramen_Tiger Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 08:57 PM)tnzazz Wrote:  
(04-13-2014 08:26 PM)Ramen_Tiger Wrote:  Paxton Lynch is coming into his own and the recievers were actually catching the balls

Yep, and with our defense, we will not be fun to play.

Fuente loves to have a strong defense. He capitalized on it with a strong defensive class this year
04-13-2014 09:36 PM
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 05:44 PM)ecumbh1999 Wrote:  
(04-13-2014 05:36 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Two things I took away; Kurt Benkert (13-9-0, 133 yards, 2 TD) looks like a worthy successor to Shane Carden.

It should be clear now to all the C-USA rivals who were accusing us of running up the score late last season why we didn't bring in Benkert in relief while backup QB Cody Keith was injured; he'll be a RS Sophomore after Shane's senior season and would be a Junior if we had used him in mop-up duty last year.

Secondly, the Pirates only committed one penalty in the game. I am encouraged by that.

Only one was called, saw more, two pass interference, 2 holds that I saw. I'm sure the coaches will see them on the tape and address it. The O-line did well and that wasn't the starting OL several out with injury and still got two JUCO's coming in during the first Summer season, including the UofL flip.

Really glad to hear about the O line play. I know a lot of folks have been concerned about our depth, me included.
04-13-2014 10:07 PM
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nomad2u2001 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
We're going to be messing around with 3 RBs: Hairston, Grayson, and Love.
04-13-2014 10:13 PM
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ecumbh1999 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-13-2014 10:07 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  
(04-13-2014 05:44 PM)ecumbh1999 Wrote:  
(04-13-2014 05:36 PM)Chappy Wrote:  Two things I took away; Kurt Benkert (13-9-0, 133 yards, 2 TD) looks like a worthy successor to Shane Carden.

It should be clear now to all the C-USA rivals who were accusing us of running up the score late last season why we didn't bring in Benkert in relief while backup QB Cody Keith was injured; he'll be a RS Sophomore after Shane's senior season and would be a Junior if we had used him in mop-up duty last year.

Secondly, the Pirates only committed one penalty in the game. I am encouraged by that.

Only one was called, saw more, two pass interference, 2 holds that I saw. I'm sure the coaches will see them on the tape and address it. The O-line did well and that wasn't the starting OL several out with injury and still got two JUCO's coming in during the first Summer season, including the UofL flip.

Really glad to hear about the O line play. I know a lot of folks have been concerned about our depth, me included.

With the starting D in running as next next to impossible, but I take it as a good sign about the D. Hooker blew a few plays and Overton did as well. There were a few "sacks", but two were just because a defender got close.
04-13-2014 11:05 PM
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CliftonAve Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
I will add a few more points regarding Cincinnati.

The receiving corps is deep. Bearcats #1 unit includes 6'6 MeKale Mckay (5 catches for 103 yards), sure handed Chris Moore (2-65), steady Shaq Washington (5-61) and Max Morrison (6-49). The second and third units were also impressive Alex Chisum (starter in 2012 but sat out last year to injury), Jeremy Graves, Tshumbi Johnson and Ralph David Albernathy IV.

On defense the Bearcats were lead by former five star MLB Jeff Luc. Luc had 11 tackles on the day, many of them of the teeth jarring variety. He also decleated MeKale McKay on one play to break up a pass and ran down a RB to force a fumble. Sophomore Safety Mike Tyson had nine tackles and an INT.

One area where the Bearcats are shaky is the kicking game. Incumbent Sr. Tony Miliano was horrible last year (5 out of 14 in FG and he missed a couple Xtra Pts). He is getting serious competition from redshirt freshman Andrew Gantz who has been more impressive this spring. During the Spring Game Miliano made a two field goal (49, 18 yards) but shanked an xtra point. Gantz was 1-2 on FG's.
04-14-2014 08:16 AM
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KnightsFan5912 Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
(04-14-2014 08:16 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  I will add a few more points regarding Cincinnati.

The receiving corps is deep. Bearcats #1 unit includes 6'6 MeKale Mckay (5 catches for 103 yards), sure handed Chris Moore (2-65), steady Shaq Washington (5-61) and Max Morrison (6-49). The second and third units were also impressive Alex Chisum (starter in 2012 but sat out last year to injury), Jeremy Graves, Tshumbi Johnson and Ralph David Albernathy IV.

On defense the Bearcats were lead by former five star MLB Jeff Luc. Luc had 11 tackles on the day, many of them of the teeth jarring variety. He also decleated MeKale McKay on one play to break up a pass and ran down a RB to force a fumble. Sophomore Safety Mike Tyson had nine tackles and an INT.

Other than the kicking woes it looks like UC and UCF and pretty similar....strong Def and WR corps. Should be a good game....oh wait.....damn you AAC scheduling

One area where the Bearcats are shaky is the kicking game. Incumbent Sr. Tony Miliano was horrible last year (5 out of 14 in FG and he missed a couple Xtra Pts). He is getting serious competition from redshirt freshman Andrew Gantz who has been more impressive this spring. During the Spring Game Miliano made a two field goal (49, 18 yards) but shanked an xtra point. Gantz was 1-2 on FG's.
04-14-2014 08:50 AM
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b0ndsj0ns Offline
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RE: AAC Spring Season and Spring Games (what we learned)
What I learned from ECU's spring game is Benkert has a chance to be special. He's way further along as a RS Freshman than Carden was. I'm glad we were able to keep his redshirt last year. I know it was a little risky leaving Carden in late in a lot of blowouts, but it's going to give us an extra year with Benkert and by his senior year he could be scary good.
04-14-2014 09:02 AM
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