Make no mistake about it, Bearkats, Brian Randolph is your new starting quarterback for the 2009 season.
Randolph played great in the spring game, completing several key over-the-shoulder passes and dump-offs to the backs in pressure situations. His placement was key as the offense rolled to a 54-35 victory.
The defense started out slow, allowing a touchdown on the second play when Randolph hit wide receiver Darrell Armstead for a 75-yard screen pass.
“I really liked the second play of the game,” said Randolph, the junior college transfer from Semi Valley College. “It set the tone of the game.”
While dynamic scoring was big, the real story of the game was the explosive hits. The defense put a body on a whoever went near the ball, hitting tight ends, running backs, and even the quarterback when they could get away with it.
After each play the defense proved their prowess, showing they were tougher than a pair of old snow boots.
Head Coach Todd Whitten was very impressed by the game, and rightfully so; Randolph threw for an amazing 418 yards and three touchdowns.
“On the surface I was pleased,” said Whitten. “But we are going to evaluate it.”
The game was formatted differently than most spring games. It was the offense vs. the defense each gaining points for achieving goals. The offense would receive points if they got first downs and the defense got points for forcing a punt.
Even though Randolph has looked great, he has had little competition with the position. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Welch tore his ACL last week, so Randolph has taken all the snaps with both the first team and the second team offense.
Said Whitten of the loss of his quarterback, “It is a tough pill to swallow.”
The other player to really emerge this weekend was freshman running back Will Clay. While the Bearkats are stacked at running back, the 6-foot 1-inch running back made his name known by pounding through the middle of the defense and breaking big plays for the offense.
One thing is for sure; with Rhett Bomar gone, after being drafted by the New York Giants, this season will be full of new names and new storylines.
