By JARYD CLINE, staff reporter
One thing is for sure: The Wildcats will need to find a consistent signal caller at quarterback to replace three-year starter Ryan Robertson.
The CWU White vs. CWU Crimson spring football game ended with a final score of 7-7, with scores coming from running backs Jordan Todd and Bryce Davis, both of which came during the first half.
The Crimson team was designed to be No. 1 on defense and No. 2 on offense, while the White team was No. 1 on offense and No. 2 on defense.
The sidelines were full of new faces vying for a position in the starting lineup in the fall.
The Wildcats have been working throughout the spring to replace the 22 seniors graduated from last year’s team which won the GNAC championship.
All six of the quarterbacks have seen limited playing times in their careers; some haven’t seen any downs at all.
“We threw five or six picks and so that’s never a good day for a quarterback,” head coach Blaine Bennett said. “We’ll sit down and evaluate them and hopefully go into Aug. 14 with three quarterbacks and get them ready for the season.”
Both the Crimson and White teams combined connected on just 30 percent of their passing attempts on the day, while also throwing six interceptions.
The White team found a consistent offensive weapon in Todd. The sophomore totaled 96 yards on 22 attempts, including a 24-yard touchdown scamper.
Todd, who finished with 192 yards and three touchdowns in the Wildcats’ 51-19 victory over Dixie State to secure the GNAC title in 2012, was the only bright spot for either team on offense.
“Jordan Todd is the real deal,” Bennett said. “For him to come out here and run like he ran today, that’s exciting.”
Both offenses struggled at times on each team throughout the game.
The first passing play of the day was intercepted for the White team and the Crimson team gave it right back with an interception less than 10 minutes later.
GNAC defensive player of the year Stan Langlow was all over the place for the Crimson team, recording six solo tackles and one interception on the day.
Langlow is excited for the team’s chances next season. The Wildcats had the top scoring and red zone defense last season, and Langlow was a large factor. He hopes for an even more explosive defense in the fall.
“I expect big things out of this team,” Langlow said. “Defensively there’s that fire burning and we can’t wait to get it back.”
Coming out of halftime, both squads tried to gain the upper hand by showing a bit of trickery.
The White team opened up the second half by recovering an onside kick, which later led to a punt.
The White team attempted to fool the Crimson squad again on a reverse pass, but it was broken up in the backfield before it developed.
“I think after halftime everybody pulled the gloves off and tried to win the game,” Bennett said. “It’s a chance for us to have fun. I think our players had fun, our coaches had a good time. [It was] a great way to end spring football.”
The Wildcat football team resumes preperation for the fall with practices beginning on Aug. 14.
“Right now they have to make sure they finish up strong academically,” Bennett said.
While the expectations are high for a second-consecutive GNAC title, the Wildcats know that hard work in the offseason is just the start to the season-long journey.
“I’m trying to go to the playoffs,” Todd said. “I think we’re all trying to go to playoffs and I think we have the squad to do it.”
