April 25, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Blue Team defeated the White Team, 54-17 in the University of Kentucky Blue/White Spring Football Game on Saturday afternoon before 13,000 fans in Commonwealth Stadium.
The Blue Team, comprised of first- and second-team players, dominated the White Team, comprised of second- and third-team players. The Blue/White Game completed UK’s spring football drills, and Coach Hal Mumme was pleased with today’s game and the team’s overall progress.
“This is what we wanted (today),” Mumme said. “Our top 22 to 30 players dominated on the Blue squad, while the White players did come up and make some plays.
“Last year (during spring practice) our stats on offense were much better, but we were going against a defense that was being taught. This spring they (the defense) know what they are doing and are a lot quicker. But that is a good thing because we now know we have been challenged. Last spring we really didn’t know what we had going into the first game.”
Today’s game opened with one quarter of touch football played with Blue and White alumni teams. The White Team won the quarter, 7-0, with a 70-yard scoring drive on the game’s first possession. Quarterback Derrick Ramsey completed eight consecutive passes during the drive, capped by a four-yard touchdown to running back Carl Daley. Tommy Griggs added the extra point.
The Wildcats varsity teams took the field in the second quarter and the Blue Team immediately took control. Wide receiver Craig Yeast caught a short pass from quarterback Tim Couch on the first play and turned it into a 70-yard touchdown. On the next two possessions, Couch threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to fullback Derek Homer and a 14-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jimmy Robinson. The Blue scored on five of its six possessions and outscored the White Team 37-3 in the second quarter alone. Couch played just one quarter, but completed 14 of 20 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns.
“This team can do a lot of great things,” Couch said. “I’m a lot more comfortable with this offense. I think we can do a lot more and bring it to a new level. I think it is unlimited what we can accomplish.”
Quarterback Matt Mumme took over for Couch in the second half, which went by quickly because of a continuous running clock. Mumme threw a five-yard touchdown pass to halfback Anthony White and a 32-yard TD pass to Yeast. Blue kicker Seth Hanson finished one drive with a 33-yard field goal. Mumme completed 11 of 15 passes for 156 yards and two scores.
Six Blue Team players caught at least three passes. Yeast caught four for 156 yards, including two touchdowns. Halfback Anthony White caught five passes for 79 yards and one TD. Robinson caught five for 41 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Garry Davis had four receptions for 100 yards.
“The only personal goal I have this season is I want to catch at least 100 balls,” Yeast said. “But the only real goal I have is to get to a bowl game. I’m not big on individual goals. I just want to help the team in any way I can. We need to improve our overall execution, offensively and defensively. We executed well today, but I’ve seen better from us.”
Fullback A. J. Simon paced the running game with 26 yards on four carries. Homer ran for 17 yards and White ran for 14, including a 12-yard scoring run.
All totaled, the Blue varsity team accounted for 527 yards during its three quarters of play, including 472 passing yards and 55 on the ground. Meanwhile, the Blue defense held the White offense to 118 total yards in the three quarters of varsity play. The Blue defense also ballhawked four turnovers, including intercepted passes by linebacker Marlon McCree, cornerback Marvin Love, and strong safety Jeff Zurcher, and a fumble recovery by McCree. Love returned his interception 36 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back because of an illegal block penalty. The Blue defense also scored a safety on a quarterback sack by linebacker John Rader.
“I think the defense played really well today,” McCree said. “We’re much better prepared than we were this time last year. Coach (Mike) Major (the defensive coordinator) is really turning us loose this year, and we’re all having fun. It keeps us loose, and it should make the difference this year.”
The White offense did have a couple of good moments. On its first possession in the second quarter, quarterback Dusty Bonner led a 61-yard drive that earned points on a 27-yard field goal by kicker Marc Samuel. In the third quarter, quarterback Corry Doyle connected with wide receiver Jermaine White on a 70-yard touchdown pass. White led the White Team offense with 134 yards on three pass receptions.
Another bright spot was the performance of the kickers on both sides. Both field attempts were made, a 33-yarder by Blue kicker Seth Hanson, and a 27-yarder by White kicker Marc Samuel. Blue punter Jimmy Carter had a 55-yard punt on his only attempt and White punter Andy Smith averaged 51.5 yards on four punts, including a 70-yard boot.
With spring practice completed, the Wildcats have one more week before final examinations the first week of May. Most of the players will go home during the month of May, then return to Lexington for summer school and workouts in June. Practice resumes in early August and the 1998 season opener will be Sept. 5 at Louisville.
