Blue Tops White in Annual Spring Game

Rising junior quarterback Andrew Clements ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as the Blue Team topped the White Team 41-21 in the Annual Spring Game at Central Connecticut.  Clements, who played some time at quarterback last season for the Blue Devils, saw the bulk of action with the first team offense on Friday afternoon.

PHOTO GALLERY (Steve McLaughlin photos)

The game is the culmination of spring practice for the Blue Devils, coming off a 4-7 season in 2011.

"We got better this spring," head coach Jeff McInerney said following the game.  "We worked hard all spring long and became a better football team.  Andrew did a great job at quarterback and I thought our offensive line played very well.  We brought in some kids at mid-term to help fill some gaps, and they played well."

Clements accounted for three touchdowns, including a 77-yard yard strike to junior Denzell Jones.  Jones finished the game with seven catches for 155 yards and the touchdown.

Clements finished 17-of-26 for 220 yards and a touchdown.  He rushed 13 times for 72 yards and two more scores. 

Transfer running back Rob Hollomon, who played last season at Kent State, rushed 16 times for 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"We did a lot of good things today and this was a solid spring.  I'm happy with the way we performed," McInerney said.  "We have a strong schedule to open up next season and we are looking forward to it."

An estimated crowd of 1,000 watched the game on Friday afternoon.

"We did a great job defensively, forcing a lot of turnovers.  Our first group of guys only let up one score, and we put them in some very difficult positions.  We got to do some situational work, and we answered the bell.  We ran a lot of plays, and I was happy with the way we performed as a team."

The Blue Devils open the 2012 season on the road at Stony Brook on Sept. 1.  Their first home game in the renovated Arute Field will take place on Sept. 8.

SCORING

1^st Quarter
Blue - Rob Holloman 9 yard TD – 7-0; 8:26
White – Punt block TD – 7-7, 5:01
 
2^nd Quarter
Blue – Rob Holloman 3 yard TD – 14-7; 8:20
Blue – Andrew Clements 10 yard TD – 20-7; 3:52

3^rd Quarter

Blue – Jordan Jones 3 yard TD – 27-7, 1:38

4^th Quarter
Blue – Andrew Clements 1 yard TD – 34-7, 9:08
White – Dylan Shiel 1 yard TD – 34-14; 7:58
Blue – Clements to Denzell Jones 77 yard TD catch – 41-14; 4:35
White – Darius Lee 2yard TD – 41-21; 4:10