.png&type=webp)
Rice University Athletics
Defense Takes Spring Game
3/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 28, 2009
Nick Fanuzzi threw for three touchdowns while Tyler Smith added to a solid spring comeback from knee surgery, but it wasn't enough to stop the Gray (defense) from defeating the Blue (offense) 46-44 in the annual Rice Spring Football Game at Rice Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
"It was a great afternoon and I hope it was a lot of fun for the fans and for our guest coaches," Rice head coach David Bailiff said.
Fanuzzi, who transferred to Rice from Alabama prior to the start of the 2008 season, completed six of eight passes on the day for 136 yards. He opened the offensive scoring with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Toren Dixon in the first quarter. He added a pair of scoring tosses to Roddy Maginot (13 and seven yards).
"I thought Nick Fanuzzi had his best day of the spring today," Bailiff said. "He looked very comfortable back there. So did John Thomas Shepherd. Ryan Lewis had some good moments as well. All three of them are still learning the offense, but I am really proud of how all of them led the team today," he added.
Smith, who has endured a long rehab process after injuring a knee in the 2007 season, led all rushers with 62 yards on six carries and tied for the game lead with five receptions for 31 yards.
"I am so proud of the effort that Tyler has made to get back on the field," Bailiff said. "He really ran the ball well, and he showed the ability to catch the ball as well."
Maginot also had five catches for 50 yards. Corbin Smiter topped 100 yards in receiving, grabbing three passes for 116 yards, including an 84-yard connection with John Thomas Shepherd. Dixon finished with three catches for 90 yards.
The defense scored their points on a combination of defensive plays, including turnovers, sacks and tackles for loss.
"They played will a lot of fire today," Bailiff said. "Going into the spring, we knew that there was an opportunity for some of the younger guys on the defensive line to show what they could do, and you saw guys like Brian Stacey and John Gioffre making plays and scoring points for the defense."
While the Owls have played their annual Spring Game, the spring practice schedule has Three practices remaining on the schedule.
The Owls will be back on the field on Monday and Tuesday, before wrapping things up with a final scrimmage on Wednesday.
Rice Spring Game Statistics
Passing:
Nick Fanuzzi 6-8-0 136 yards 3 TDs
John Thomas Shepherd 10-15-1 136 yards 1 TD
Ryan Lewis 9-18-1 112 yards
Brent Hotard 2-4-1 16 yards
Rushing
Tyler Smith 6-62, Sam McGuffie 4-40, Jeramy Goodson 6-23, Shane Turner 7-15 1 TD, Marcus Knox 3-1, Brent Hotard 2-7, John Thomas Shepherd 9- (-6), Ryan Lewis 9-(-9), Nick Fanuzzi 4-(-20).
Receiving
Roddy Maginot 5-50 2 TDs, Tyler Smith 5-31, Corbin Smiter 3-116, Toren Dixon 3-90 1 TD, Taylor Wardlow 2-32, Shane Turner 2-23, Patrick Randolph 2-18, Derek Clark 2-6, Wil Norris 1-17; Pierre Beasley 1-13, Denzel Wells 1-11.
Touchdown plays
Toren Dixon, 75-yard pass from Nick Fanuzzi
Roddy Magninot, 13-yard pass from Fanuzzi
Shane Turner, 2-yard run
Patrick Randolph, 5-yard pass from John Thomas Shepherd
Maginot, 7-yard pass from Fanuzzi
