Blue Team Claims Spring Game With 17-Unanswered Points
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Alumni Bryan Sperry Touchdown
David Beaty Press Conference Quotes
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Kansas football team put its new high-energy, air-raid offense on display Saturday afternoon in front of 6,227 fans as the Blue team used a late surge to defeat the White team, 20-7, in the annual Spring Game at Memorial Stadium.
Trailing 7-3 near the end of the third quarter, junior quarterback Montell Cozart converted two touchdown passes, while junior kicker Matthew Wyman drilled a 28-yard field goal, capping a surge of 17-straight points in the final quarter for the Blue team.
Both teams implemented the new offense throughout the four, 15-minute running-clock quarters, but with little success through the first three periods. The teams combined to score just three points in the first half, but a second half outburst by the Blue team ended the scoring drought.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first period after Wyman missed on a 49-yard field goal attempt three minutes into the quarter.
Late in the second period senior quarterback Michael Cummings connected with senior wide receiver, Shakiem Barbel for a 22-yard gain the Blue squad attempted a 43-yard field goal which sophomore kicker, Ryan Weese missed. Several plays later, Weese would redeem himself by completing a 38-yard field goal attempt to give the Blue squad a 3-0 lead at the 4:38 mark which would hold heading to half time.
The White team was not going to let the Blue squad skate off that easy and at the 4:40 mark in the third period, senior linebacker Aaron Plump picked off a pass from Cozart at the 11-yard line which junior quarterback T.J. Millweard converted to a touchdown with a pass to junior tight end, Sebastian Fairchild. Wyman ended off the drive with a successful field goal to give White a 7-3 lead.
With White leading, no time on the clock and bragging rights on the line, Cozart connected with Barbel for a 19-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone. Making his second successful PAT of the afternoon, Weese capped off the successful touchdown drive by completing the point-after to give Blue a 10-7 lead at the end of the third period.
The Blue team continued its late surge with a 38-yard field goal by Wyman to extend the lead out by six points, 13-7. After a three-and-out by White, Blue took over with 1:56 left in the spring season. Junior tight end Kent Taylor streaked up the sideline and caught an 85-yard pass from Cozart for a touchdown to end all hopes of a victory for the White team.
Cozart led all passers with 219 yards completing 16-of-26 attempts for two touchdowns. Taylor led all receivers with just two catches, highlighted by the 88-yard grab for a touchdown. Taylor was followed by Barbel who ended the afternoon with 78 yards and a score.