April 17, 2004
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The Green squad, bolstered by an 18-6 advantage in the alumni quarter, beat the Gold team, 28-16, in Baylor's spring game Saturday afternoon at Floyd Casey Stadium. The annual scrimmage concluded spring drills for second-year coach Guy Morriss' team, which will open its 2004 season on Sept. 4 at UAB.
"I think the players like the format we use, where we split up and play against each other," Morriss said. "I don't think it makes for a great game, but we got through it and we didn't get anybody hurt. That was the main thing.
"We've had a good spring and we are very pleased with the progress we are making," he added. "Now, we'll get back into our off-season work and start grinding in the weight room. We need to finish strong in the classroom, and then we'll get into our summer program and get bigger, faster and better conditioned."
Former Baylor football players played a 7-on-7 first quarter flag football game, with the Green winning the period 18-6. Greg Cicero quarterbacked both teams and tossed four scoring passes. The BU varsity then picked up the game in the second quarter and played to a 10-10 tie over the final three periods.
Sophomore running back Brandon Whitaker scored on a six-yard run in the second quarter and senior place-kicker Kenny Webb tacked on the PAT to put the Green team ahead, 25-6. There was no scoring for either team in the third period.
The Gold team then scored 10 consecutive points in the fourth period, as sophomore place-kicker Jeremy Parker hit a 31-yard field goal and junior linebacker Colin Allred picked off a pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon McCord and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown. Parker's ensuing PAT brought the Gold within 25-16, but it could get no closer. Green sophomore place-kicker Ryan Havens completed the scoring with a 30-yard field goal for the game's final points.
"The two defensive ends (Khari Long and Montez Murphy) looked good again," Morriss said. "I thought (Brandon) Whitaker had a couple of nice runs and got in there and ran tough. Paul Mosley look good, and for that matter, Jonathan Golden looked good, too. Terrance (Parks) pulled the ball down once and made a nice run. I liked the run from Iris Williams. We had some guys make some plays."
Sophomore running back Paul Mosley led all rushers with seven carries for 35 yards for the Gold squad, while senior running back Jonathan Golden had six carries for 34 yards to pace the Green team and his teammate, sophomore Brandon Whitaker, finished with 27 yards on four carries.
Senior quarterback Aaron Karas was 4-of-9 through the air for 87 yards to lead the Green attack. Senior wide receiver Marques Roberts, playing for the Green, caught a scrimmage-high two passes for 48 yards.
"I don't think any of them played long enough to get into much of a rhythm and tell much," Morriss said. "We've had a good battle at that spot. The top three are kind of clumped together and all three bring different attributes to the table. I think we'll have to make that decision (on a starter) on the plane ride to Birmingham next year."
The Bears return to work in August and open their 2004 season Sept. 4 at UAB before hosting Texas State in their home opener a week later. Season tickets for the 2004 Baylor football season are now on sale through the Athletic Ticket Office. Season tickets are priced at $135 each for the Bears' six-game home schedule, a $45 savings over tickets purchased individually for each game. For more information, contact the Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-BAYLOR-U.
