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Show May 4, 1992 The Signpost Purple and White football game concludes spring practice SPORTS DEFENSE WINS: Even though the defense won the game 36-34, Head Coach Dave Arslanian was pleased with the offense and defense. By CORY SOVEREEN Sports editor of The Signpost Weber's annual Purple and White football game ended the spring season with a 36-34 defensive victory in the Wildcat Stadium under Saturday's clear blue skies. "I was pretty pleased with the way things went today," said head coach Dave Arslanian, "I was pleased with the effort that everybody put out. The game consisted of several peculiar rules and a scoring system that the average football enthusiast may not have heard of. Included in the game rules was four, 15 minute quarters with the clock continuously running except for the last two minutes in the second and fourth quarters. The game had no kickoffs or punt returns and allowed each team two time-outs per half. Each time the offense began a drive, they began at their own 30-yardline. In the scoring category, the offense could receive six points for a touchdown, and three points for a feild goal. The defense had a variety of ways to score including offensive stops which could earn the "D" two points, gaining a turnover (interception or fumble) three points, and stopping the offense on a fourth down try could total four points. Other defensive scoring opportunities could come from touchdowns or field goals after an offensive turnover which could total six or three points depending on the scoring drive. Safeties also could give the defense two points. Weber totaled 509 passing yards which included 17 first downs, and fourtouchdowns. i i i . : ' - ' ',' " ' 1 T ' ; - ''" 'v , -. . , ... . " : i - ; v i . -I - " ii- ; u . .. ' ' i , - - - -I DANELLE MABEYWf SIGNPOST THE WSU DEFENSE hold their ground In Saturday's Purple and White game as running back Dwight Richards gets stuck. Quarterback Jamie Martin held up to his high expectations after his last year's Walter Payton Trophy winning season. Martin exceeded his last year's average of approximately 379 passing yards per game totalling 402 yards, including 4 touchdown tosses. Martin's golden arm threw 29 completions in 45 attempts. "I felt good," said Martin. Martin and his receivers appeared syn- t if ? s i w .'"ft jt ! DANIELLE MAYBEWE SIGNPOST GENE ETHRIDGE (30) darts towards the endzone after making a prize catch. chronized throughout most of the game. Dell Stilson and Martin hooked up for 15 completions totalling 194 yards. Stilson also found the time appropriate for a scoreboard marriage proposal to his future bride Shalise Chatelain after the game. Obviously, she accepted. Fred Safford also held on to a touchdown toss by Martin, as well as JoelPelagio-Wil-liams. "All you have to do is run, and Jamie will throw you the ball," Stilson said, "We're go ing to have a team come fall." "Jamie's an amazing football player," said Arslanian. Martin feels that the excellence of his receivers this year will really help his success. So far, Martin is confident in his receivers and displayed this throughout the game by completing passes to six of his receivers. "If they're as good as last year, that will really help me," Martin said. Back up quarterbacks Rob Westervelt, and Bryan Martin also contributed to the offense completing 7-18 fori 07 yards, and two interceptions. The remaining offensive points came from punter, Patrik Schmidle who booted 2-3 field goals from 36 and 37 yards out. The pass protection from the offensive line could also be credited for the offensive scoringdrives which appeared solid throughout the first half, but seemed to be tiring as the game went on. 'The defense really came after them," Arslanian said. Martin stated that the defense started blitzing more in the second half, and the offensive was only running the short passing game. Martin also mentioned that the offensive line was also experimenting with some "All you have to do is run, and Jamie will throw you the ball' Dell Stilson WSU Football new techniques, despite Arslanian's remark that the team wasn't supposed to add anything new. Despite the excellent passing game, Weber's running game appeared to need a little bit of work. Weber's running backs combined for a -24 yards rushing. However, 55 of the total yards lost came from the quarterbacks. Defensively, the squad appeared very solid and anxious to deliver several hard hits the the offense. Lamar Mickey racked up seven tackles, six of them unassisted, with at least two quarterback sacks which were actu- ally touches in order to prevent injuries, and one pass deflection. Deric Gurley and Jantz Afuvai also added seven sticks to boost the defense. Afuvai also had one pass deflection. The two interceptions were credited to defensive backs, Derrick Beatty and Jed Davies. Bearty's interception was run back foraTDand added 11 points to thescoreboard for the defense; six points for the touchdown, three points for creating a turnover, and two points for stopping the defense. Arslanian and his team feel good about the upcoming'1992 season after seeing the club progress throughout the spring. "It's going to be a fun year, I can't wait," Stilson said, 'The young people are really stepping up." Arslanian is also confident in the return of his 10 injured players, some of which are still left over from last fall. 'ALL THE INJURED PLAYERS WILL BE BACK.' ARSLANIAN SAID. Weber's 1992 football season will kick off at New Mexico State University on Sept. 5. |