Blue Defeats White in Spring Game, 51-32

Drew Willy throws for 155 yards and a touchdown

Drew Willy

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo football team played its annual spring football game on Saturday afternoon, with the Blue squad (offense) defeating the White squad (defense), 51-32, in front of a nice crowd of 1,014 at UB Stadium.

Due to a smaller roster, it was not a true scrimmage, but predetermined situations where both the offense and defense were eligible to earn points.

Drew Willy (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) looked sharp at quarterback for the Bulls. The junior-to-be went 19-for-26 for 155 yards and a touchdown. He completed 14 of his first 17 passes, including a 43-yard strike to Ernest Jackson (Rochester, NY/Gates-Chili). He found Robert Yealu (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) for a five-yard touchdown.

Jackson and Yealu each hauled in a game-high four catches. Jackson finished with 61 yards and Yealu had 28 yards receiving. Gary Rice (Hamilton, OH/Hamilton) added three catches for 39 yards.

Splitting time with Willy at quarterback was Naaman Roosevelt (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph’s Collegiate). The Bulls’ freshman who spent last season as one of the Bulls’ top wide receivers, looked comfortable behind center. He finished the day 6-for-12 for 87 yards. Four of his six completions were over 10 yards, including a 36-yard connection with Patrick Smith (Buffalo, NY/Canisius). Neither quarterback threw an interception.

Da’Von McCune (Buffalo, NY/City Honors) paced the Bulls’ running game with 30 yards on five carries. Mario Henry (Erie, PA/Strong Vincent) added 23 yards on 11 carries and James Starks (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) finished with 19 yards on six carries.

Defensively, the Bulls were led by Larry Hutchinson (Seattle, WA/Fanklin) who had a game-high 10 tackles, including eight solo stops. Chris Storr (Southfield, MI/Southfield) and LaRon Haymore (St. Louis, MO/Cardinal Ritter) added seven and six tackles, respectively.

Ernest Jackson

Trevor Scott (Potsdam, NY/Potsdam), Bruno Lapointe (Lennoxville, Quebec/Champlain Cegep) and Mike Thompson (Seffner, FL/Armwood) each registered a sack for the White squad.

Kicker Gerry McGroarty (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Bishop Hoban) was perfect on the afternoon, going 3-for-3 in field goal attempts. He made kicks of 31, 27 and 37 yards.

“I think it was a very good spring for us,” head coach Turner Gill said. “I was really pleased with the way our coaching staff put together a great scheme. I am proud of our players that they have really caught on and bought into what we are trying to get done here. I think they have a greater expectation and they know what it takes. I feel good about the progress that we are making each and every day and each and every week.”

The Bulls will conclude spring drills on Monday afternoon with one final practice. The 2007 season kicks off on August 30 when Buffalo travels to Rutgers to battle the Scarlet Knights.

04/14/2007