White trumps Green in annual Ohio spring game
By Britton Dove, Staff Writer
April 28, 2008 | 3 p.m.
The Green and White spring football game this past Saturday, April 26 marked the beginning of a new season, new players and a new list of expectations from Coach Frank Solich and staff.
The first play of White’s 20-14 victory was an interception from Green-team quarterback Theo Scott to safety Donovan Fletcher. Scott completed seven of 12 passes for 102 yards with two interceptions on the day.
“Theo [Scott] had a very, very good spring, and I think he wanted to show that today and maybe pressed a little, but he came around,” Solich said.
Junior-college transfer Boo Jackson impressed the crowd and Solich with his passing, his ability to escape pressure and his knowledge of the complicated system of the Bobcat offense. Jackson completed 16 of his 20 passes for 190 yards.
“I've grown by leaps and bounds,” Jackson said. “The first couple of days I was bobbling snaps and just looked like a freshman coming out of high school. Then, as the weeks progressed, I caught on very quick, and I just feel comfortable now with the offense."
According to Jackson, he still wants to cut his weight down, become stronger and become more of a leader on the field. He added that he is taking cues from Scott and is learning from him now. That is not to say that there is not a healthy competition for the starting quarterback job.
“Competition is always a good thing because it's not like it's a cut-throat type thing where I'm coming to take [Scott's] position,” Jackson said. “Right now, it's just a lovely competition between two friends. We don't have anything against each other or any of the other quarterbacks."
Solich was impressed with the receiving corps as a whole during the spring game with very few dropped passes. Robert Mercer and LaVon Brazill led the receiving corps. Mercer caught four balls for 40 yards and Brazill grabbed three for 58 yards.
Ohio's defensive unit has been plagued by injuries this spring forcing many to miss the spring game, but most should be back by the fall.
Of those who were healthy, safety Donovan Fletcher had an outstanding game on defense with seven tackles and two interceptions. As a sophomore, he still has a lot to learn and also a lot of time to progress.
“I'm just trying to do what I can to get into the rotation,” Fletcher said. “I just want to show what I can do on the field and hopefully get some playing time this season."
On special teams, kicker Paul Belany, who could replace Michael Braunstein, had a productive spring game with two 30-plus-yard field goals and four extra points.
The game concluded spring practice for the Bobcats.
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