This Day in UK Athletics History: Couch Leads Blue Team to Spring Game Win (1997)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Quarterback Tim Couch threw four touchdown passes and halfback Anthony White scored four TDs in leading the Blue team to a 48-7 win over the White team in the University of Kentucky Blue-White Spring Football Game on May 1, 1997.

Couch completed 36 of 43 passes for 358 yards and four TDs in the pass-oriented offense installed by new coach Hal Mumme. White caught nine passes for 72 yards and two TDs.He also rushed six times for 96 yards and two scores,including a 68-yard touchdown run.

The first quarter was played by Blue and White alumni teams. The White team held a 7-3 lead at the end of the quarter on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Antonio O’Ferral to Jim Campbell. Blue’s tally came on a 20-yard field goal by Tommy Griggs.

The Blue team, comprised mostly of first-team players,dominated the second-team White squad when the varsity took the field in the second quarter. After a 31-yard field goal by Brian Johnson cut the White squad’s lead to one point at7-6, Anthony White scored his first touchdown on a four-yard run to give the Blue squad a 13-7 lead at halftime.

The Blue team scored on all five of its possessions in the second half. The touchdowns came on a 19-yard pass from Couch to wide receiver Quentin McCord; a four-yard pass from Couch to tight end Jimmy Haley; a 68-yard run by White; and11- and seven-yard passes from Couch to White.

The varsity Blue team rolled up 474 yards in its three quarters of action. Meanwhile, the Blue defense limited the White team offense to 90 yards in the three quarters.Quarterback Ryan Keller completed 9 of 20 passes for 59 yards for the White squad, while A. J. Simon led White team rushing with 17 yards on five carries.

The game concluded spring drills for Kentucky. The Wildcats are now in preparation for spring semester examinations, which run from May 5-9. The players will rest or work out on their own for the remainder of May.