Blue defeats White in Akron Spring Game, 20-17

By Terry Rabbitts, Writer

Football made a brief appearance at The University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field this past Saturday where the football team held their annual spring game.

 

The Blue Squad, led by offensive coordinator A.J. Milwee, jumped out to an early lead and then had to come back to secure a 20-17 win over the White Squad.

 

Milwee’s team opened up the scoring with eight minutes left in the opening quarter on a Tom O’Leary 32-yard field goal and a 3-0 advantage.

 

The White Squad, coached by Chuck Amato and the rest of the defensive coaches, wasted no time in answering the field goal as Tra’Von Chapman took just 44 seconds to drive his team down the field. Chapman then connected with Dwadarrius Smith on a 14-yard pass for the touchdown and a 7-3 lead.

 

Kicker Zach Gingerich split the uprights on a 38-yard field goal with 2:30 still left in the first quarter and the White enjoyed a 10-3 lead.

 

Quarterback Thomas Woodson was able to find A.J.Coney on a 14-yard completion for a touchdown to knot the score at 10 early in the second stanza.

 

Chapman and Smith gave the White the advantage once again as they paired up on another touchdown, this time from 15 yards out to make the score 17-10.

 

O’Leary was able to nail another field goal from 32 yards out to close the gap to 17-13 at the half.

 

In the third quarter, Chapman traded teams and led the Blue Squad down the field and found Fransohn Bickley in the end zone for his third TD toss on the day, giving the Blue the lead.

Neither team was able to find any points in the final quarter.

 

Chapman finished the day with 18 completions on 34 attempts for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Woodson was 13 of 31 for 196 yards and a touchdown.

 

JoJo Natson led all receivers with seven catches for 101 yards for the Blue team and Smith led the White team with seven receptions, 76 yards, and the two scores.