Quarterbacks, Receivers Get a Workout in Annual Spring Game
4/19/2003 12:00:00 PM | Football
April 19, 2003
Toledo, OH -
Football Release April 19, 2003 CONTACT: Paul Helgren (419-530-4918) For more information, please go to www.utrockets.com
Quarterbacks, Receivers Get a Workout in Annual Spring Game
TOLEDO, OH - Toledo's two quarterbacks got a thorough review in the annual Spring Football Game on Saturday, as sophomore Bruce Gradkowski and junior Cedric Stevens combined to throw 55 passes out of 84 plays in the 48-minute scrimmage.
Gradkowski completed 29-of-39 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown. Stevens was 10-of-16 for 198 yards. Both quarterbacks also threw two interceptions.
Junior Lance Moore led 12 wide receivers who caught at least one pass with six receptions for 58 yards. Redshirt freshman Charles Searcy had four catches for a game-high 75 yards, including a 43-yarder from Stevens.
Toledo's sophomore "Baby Backs" didn't play much but were effective when they did. Astin Martin led the running backs with 27 yards on three carries, while Quinton Broussard added 25 yards on four attempts. Trinity Dawson, the only running back with more than four carries, had 19 yards and one touchdown on six carries. Sophomore Jason Robbins was 2-of-2 in his field goal attempts, nailing kicks from 30 and 21 yards.
The second and third string team-which was spotted a 17-point lead- "won" the game, 27-17. In reality, players from the first, second and third strings were mixed into both teams throughout the game.
Coach Tom Amstutz said he was pleased with the scrimmage and the overall progress of the team this spring.
"It was a good scrimmage. I saw a lot of things I liked out there," said Amstutz. "Our quarterbacks may not have had their best games tonight, but overall they both have had outstanding springs and are progressing very nicely in our offense. I thought the defense played a little better tonight than they have in some of our earlier scrimmages."
Toledo will finish its spring drills with a light practice on Monday. Practice will resume on Saturday, Aug. 2 when the freshmen report to training camp. UT opens the season at UNLV on Aug. 30, then entertains Liberty in the home opener on Sept. 6.
Most Improved Honors - 2003 Spring Drills
Offensive Lineman: David Odenthal, Jr., 6-2, 296, Cologne, Germany
Running Back: Quinton Broussard, So., 5-9, 180, Carrollton, TX
Receiver: Steve Odom, Fr. (R), 5-10, 175, Columbus, OH
Linebacker: Anthony Jordan, So., 6-3, 220, Whitehall, OH
Defensive Lineman: Ray Turner, Sr., 6-1, 222, Clairton, PA
Cornerback: Antonio Malone, So., 6-1, 180, Portsmouth, OH
Safeties: Shawn Nixon, Jr., 6-1, 185, Columbus, OH
Special Teams: Michael Heuer, Jr., 6-3, 257, Macedonia, OH
Statistical highlights from 2003 Spring Game
Rushing Att. Yds TD Long Astin Martin 3 27 0 13 Quinton Broussard 4 25 0 16 Trinity Dawson 6 19 1 7 Bruce Gradkowski 3 9 0 13
Passing Att-Comp-Int. Yds TD Long Bruce Gradkowski 39-29-2 224 1 22 Cedric Stevens 16-10-2 198 0 43
Receiving No. Yds TD Long Lance Moore 6 58 0 22 Charles Searcy 4 75 0 43 Terrance Hudson 4 19 0 8 Chris Charleton 4 42 0 16 Frederick Wilson 3 28 0 12 Steve Odom 3 23 0 15 Corterris Reese 3 10 0 11
