Red-Blue game ends spring practice

At the conclusion of spring football, nearly every player on offense looks like a target. The starter-heavy blue team beat the red team 31-0 in Saturday’s final spring scrimmage.

Quarterback Richard Bartel completed 15 of 25 passes for 247 yards and two scores, and back-up signal caller Tate Wallis connected on 13 of 27 pass attempts for 104 yards and a touchdown.

“We had a good day,” head coach Phil Bennett said. “We throw and catch the ball so much better, and Richard was very sharp today. Both he and Tate have improved greatly this spring.”

The quarterbacks’ good day was a sign of a new mentality; every player on SMU’s offense has the confidence to do something with the ball.

“You look in their eyes now, and you see that every single receiver wants the ball now,” Bartel said.

In addition to the good passing game, tailbacks Johnnie Fitzgerald and Keylon Kincade both ran well. Fitzgerald gained 139 yards on 19 carries, and Kincade ran 13 times for 67 yards.

The running game was good, but the improved air attack could prove the difference in a team that hopes to build on last year’s late-season success.

“We can’t allow people to load up on us [against the run] and not be able to throw the ball and complete it,” Bennett said.

Newly-converted wide out Matt Rushbrook led all receivers with 110 yards on five receptions.

Red-Blue game ends spring practice

Red-Blue game ends spring practice