Nathan Palcowski
Staff Reporter
Though the score doesn’t count and the stats mean nothing, the Brown vs. Gold Western Michigan Football spring game is the last ditch effort to tweak any changes before heading into the 2012 football season. The Brown team did however end up beating the Gold team 41-28
QB Alex Carder throws a touchdown pass to WR Eric Monette.
The Brown team that consisted of both the number one offense and defense racked up 476 yards on offense behind WMU senior quarterback Alex Carder. Carder’s offensive stats were not eye-popping as he went 6-for-10 for 75 yards and one lone touchdown.
“I wanted them to feel good when they walked out of here, like they had a chance to be really good,” said WMU head coach Bill Cubit. “There is a lot of work to do, but there is a chance.”
Replacing former wide receiver Jordan White was going to be no easy task, but fifth year senior Eric Monette stepped up and seemed to show promise that he is due for a break-out year. Monette had 11 catches for a massive 146 yards and two touchdowns. WMU running back Antonio Scriven also had 19 rushes for 112 yards.
Meanwhile for the Gold team, back-up quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen had himself an impressive spring game. Tubbergen went 21-for-33 for 265 yards and a beastly three touchdowns. The leading receiver for the Gold team was Eric Boyden, who had four catches for 41 yards.
“It gives me confidence to know that I can make plays when the time comes,” WMU quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen said.
The defense for WMU throughout the spring game were ball hawks, as between both the Brown and the Gold teams, there were five interceptions in which two of those five were taken back for a touchdown. Leading both squads in tackles was Kyle Lark who had an impressive 11 tackles on the day. For the Brown team, defensive end Paul Hazel had seven tackles on the day along with three sacks and a forced fumble.
“They made some big plays,” Cubit said. “Donald Celiscar made a big play as well with the interception.”
Spring ball is the time for incoming freshman to acclaim their roles on the team and start working towards becoming future playmakers for the Broncos. One of those playmakers was freshman receiver Timmy Keith who had three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
“It felt good, I haven’t played in a game yet so it was a confidence boost,” Keith said.
Many times the kicking game is overshadowed in college football and the loss of kicker Jordan Potter last year is a blow to the Broncos. Fortunately, WMU kicker Andrew Haldeman impressed as he made both a 33 yard and a 40 yard field goal.
WMU will now end spring ball and look forward to summer workouts and practices leading up to the season opener on September 1, against the Fighting Illini of Illinois in Champaign, IL.
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