Huskers impress staff, fans during annual Spring game

Junior LaTravis Washington was impressive on the day with a pair of
touchdowns. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

77,000 plus fans packed Memorial Stadium on Saturday for the annual Spring Red-White Game. One day in April each year, fans get an early taste of Fall and a small feel for the new team going into the 2009 season. Vendors line the streets and the color red blankets downtown Lincoln for the special event. This year was no different as fans sat anxiously in the sea of red to find out what's in store for head coach Bo Pelini's second season.

It didn't take long for the scoring to begin as the White team led by newly moved quarterback LaTravis Washington led his version of the Huskers down the field on a 16 play drive. Thanks in large part to a deep reception by wide receiver Chris Brooks, place kicker Adi Kunalic was able to put the first points on the board with a 25 yard field goal. The white team quickly had the upper hand 3-0.

After kicker Alex Henery wasn't quite able to nail a 50-yard field goal attempt, it was the White team yet again who took control. The combination of Chris Brooks and LaTravis Washington continued to eat up the Red defense as the offense marched down the field play after play. Finally the White was able to punch themselves in the end zone with a stellar pitch and catch from Washington to Brooks for the touchdown and the 10-0 White team lead.

Just a couple minutes later, the Red team finally started to click as the favorite to win the starting quarterback job, Zac Lee put together a strong drive. After hitting several different receivers on the drive, it was unexpected strong receiving play of running back Marcus Mendoza who capped off the drive with a 20 yard reception from Lee. Red team cuts the lead to 10-7.

Wide receiver Chris Brooks continues to step up his
game this Spring and proved so on Saturday.
(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

The Red team caught yet another break to get themselves momentum going into halftime. Freshman Lester Ward couldn't quite hang onto the ball during a stretch play and put it on the multi-green field turf where it was snatched up by the Red team. It was tight end Ben Cotton (son of offensive line coach Barney Cotton) who was able to make up for a blown rout just one play earlier by catching a 24 yard bullet from Zac Lee. The score gave the Red team their first lead of the day, 14-10.

A quick three and out by the White team gave the hot Red team offense the ball yet again. Lee and company wasted little time with the new possession as the San Francisco Community College product perfectly placed a 40 yard bomb in the hands of Tri-County High School standout Wes Cammack. The score made it 21 unanswered for the Red, giving them the 21-10 commanding lead.

Zac Lee was then pulled for the game and heralded true freshman Cody Green switched from the White team to the Red team. Green was able to put together a solid, methodical drive which ended with another impressive field goal on the foot of Alex Henery, a 40-yarder that was true as can be.

To finish off the game, the Huskers and their fans got to experience some of the team's young blood show what they can do as they fight for Fall playing time. Omaha Westside product Collins Okafor finally showed signs of life as a Husker when he busted through the line en-rout to a 33-yard score for the Red team. Young Kyler Reed of Kansas was the next to show off his skills as the freshman snatched a hard slant pass from Washington and let his wheels do the rest, sprinting to the 71-yard touchdown. Final score, 31-17 in favor of the Red team.

The strong play of quarterback Zac Lee should give NU fans reason
to be optimistic heading into the 2009 season. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik

Fans should take great pride in how the game played out for each team today. It was obvious from the get-go that every player really gave it their all and have instilled the aggressive attitude head coach Bo Pelini displays. Cody Green was solid in his first public appearance and LaTravis Washington was phenomenal considering he has only been a quarterback for about three weeks now. Veterans let everyone know they will be a force to reckon with in 2009 while some new faces gave fans goosebumps in excitement for what the future could hold for the Huskers.

Zac Lee finished the day with a strong outing going 15 of 18 for a respectable 214 yards. Despite the impressive efforts of LaTravis Washington, I would think Lee would definitely be the choice for player of the game. Fans needed to be reassured when it came to the quarterback position and Lee showed how consistent he can be. Lee spiraled the ball through tight windows that would make even the great Joe Ganz smile in amazement. It should be an interesting few months to see what develops with this team, but this game certainly only made fans feel more comfortable about 2009.