April 17, 2004

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL -

Florida Atlantic University's football took to the field for the scrimmage of the 2004 Spring Session. For the first time in the fledgling program's history, the "Spring Game" was played with a traditional format. White prevailed over Blue 16-8.

The game pitted the Blue Team comprised of the no. 1 offense and the no. 2 defense against the White Team, made up of the no. 2 offense and no. 1 defense. It also marked the final "Spring Game" for the 2000 and 2001 classes who accepted the vision of the FAU coaching staff with no schedule, no facility and no team in place. The game also marked the return to Lockhart since the final game of the 2003 season that ended with an 11-3 record and a no. 4 national finish.

Jared Allen began the first drive of the day, for the Blue, and ended the day with 109 yards on a 10-of-20 passing performance that included an interception. Danny Embick played for both the Blue and the White. He turned in a 12-of-15 performance for 110 yards and one TD against the no. 1 defense. The Jupiter, FL native was 11-for-22 for 195 yards and a 93 yard-touchdown pass to Thomas Park versus the no. 2 defense. On the day the junior was 23-of-37 with one interception and two TDs. Dane Hansen, who will be a red-shirt freshman in 2004, was 4-of-8 for 53 yards and a score.

Parker led all receivers with 128 yards playing for the white team. Tim Fitzsimmons also had a touchdown reception for the white and had 37 yards on the day. The Blue team's receiving core was led by Darrion Porter-Isom, who had 51 yards and a score.

Nine backs had carries with B.J. Manley, Miami Norland, leading the White squad with 60 yards on 21 carries. Daveon Barron led the Blue team with 36 yards on 11 carries. Doug Parker added 23 yards on nine carries.

Taheem Acevedo took advantage of quality time due to injuries to the defensive backs by recording a game-high 12 tackles, playing for the White team. Both Johnnie Sloan and Tyrone Higgins added eight each. The Blue team's defense was led by Casey McGahee, who had seven tackles. Lawrence Gordon had an interception for the White while newcomer Cartier Barber had an INT for the Blue.

The defense, especially on special team, didn't allow the offense to get into a rhythm, as evident by he scoring.

The first score of the game was a failed punt attempt that found punter Andy Rosas covering the ball in the west end zone with time running out of the first half. Embick's pass to Parker with 14:02 remaining on the third quarter clock was the second score of the day and gave the White team a 9-0 advantage.

A snap over the head of the punter with less than 30 seconds in the third quarter put the Blue team on the board for the first time.

Red-shirt freshman Dane Hansen connected with Tim Fitzsimmons for 31 yards with 9:46 remaining in the game. The TD ended an 11-play 70-yard drive by the freshman. Porter-Isom closed the gap for the Blue team with a five yard reception form Embick to end the game.

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