April 29, 2006
Stanford threw for over 400 yards and scored nine touchdowns in today's annual Cardinal-White Spring Game that concluded the spring football practice session. Head Coach Walt Harris said he was pleased with the progress his team made during the spring, but emphasized that there are still areas that need to improve.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Trent Edwards completed 17-of-20 for 203 yards and three touchdowns as the four Cardinal QBs completed 36-of-42 for 401 yards and four TDs. Mark Bradford caught two of Edwards' touchdown passes while Evan Moore, injured in the first game of last season, showed that he has returned to full health and is ready to assume his place as one of Stanford's top offensive weapons.
"I thought we showed areas on our team which have improved, but also areas which need to get better," said Harris. "The youth on our defense was evident. We need to continue to get better during the off-season, be more consistent and physically strong on defense and be able to compete against fast teams.
"I think Trent Edwards is a tremendous team player," said Harris, "and a real good leader for our young players. We need to protect him better and improve our running game. I think we improved our offensive line play during the spring, which is encouraging. I also think TC Ostrander has got a lot of talent and great throwing ability."
Edwards led the first team offense to two quick scores on their first two possessions. He hit Bradford on a three-yard scoring pass for the first touchdown of the day as the offense took four plays to drive 65-yards for the score. On the next play, with the ball back on the 35-yard line, Anthony Kimble took an inside handoff and raced 65 yards for the touchdown. Kimble finished the day with 98 yards on five carries to go along with three receptions for 43 yards.
Ray Jones scored Stanford's next touchdown as he raced 31-yards into the end zone to cap a three-play, 65-yard drive with Ostrander at quarterback. Jones has 10 carries on the day for 58 yards. Edwards then led the first team offense on a nine-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in a 20-yard TD pass to Bradford.
"It was nice to go down and score on our first possession," said Edwards. "I think we accomplished a lot of our goals this spring. I feel much more comfortable with my accuracy and ability to put balls in more places. I think, as an offense, we are responding well to the coaching and doing a lot of the little things we've been coached to do."
Today also marked the first time fans could welcome back Moore, who suffered a serious hip injury at Navy in last year's season opener. Moore, who has practiced all spring, said he feels 100 percent. He caught two passes for 53 yards in limited action.
"Coming into the spring, I didn't know if I'd be able to handle every practice. I was hoping that my hip would hold up - and it did. It's 100 percent and it feels great."
Sophomore QB Tavita Pritchard led the offense on a 13-play, 65-yard scoring drive for the fifth TD of the day. Pritchard completed six-of-seven passes for 72 yards. Xxavier Carter, who led all running backs with 13 carries (for 35 yards), scored from four yards out. Jason Evans scored two touchdowns during the scrimmage, the first on a 12-yard pass from Edwards and the second on a five-yard run. Evans had 31 yards rushing on 10 carries and five catches for 33 yards. The final touchdown from the offense came on an 18-yard pas play from Ostrander to Michael Horgan. Ostrander finished the day 12-of-14 for 118 yards.The defense added a touchdown when Kris Evans scooped up a fumble and raced 85 yards for the score.
Following the game, Harris honored seven players for the efforts during spring ball. The Most Improved Defensive Players were DE Michael Macellari and CB Tim Sims and the Most Improved Offensive Players were WR Kelton Lynn and RB Ray Jones. The three players earning the Unsung Player Award were LB Fred Campbell, SS Bo McNally and PK Aaron Zagory.
Stat Leaders
Rushing: Kimble 5-98-1, Jones 10-58-1, Carter 13-35-1, J. Evans 10-31-1
Passing: Edwards 17-20, 203 yards, 3 TDs, Ostrander 12-14-118-1, Pritchard 6-7-72-0
Receiving: Miller 6-77, J. Evans 5-33-1, Bradford 4-51-2, Lynn 4-34, Kimble 3-43, Horgan 3-32-1, Carter 3-26
Scoring Summary (plays-yards)
Bradford 3-yard pass from Edwards (4-65)
Kimble 65-yard run (1-65)
Jones 31-yard run (3-65)
Bradford 20-yard pass from Edwards (9-65)
Carter 4-yard run (13-65)
Belch 24-yard field goal (7-43)
J. Evans 12-yard pass from Edwards (5-35)
K. Evans 85-yard fumble recovery return
J. Evans 3-yard run (4-35)
Horgan 18-yard pass from Ostrander (1-18)