Red-Blue Game final statistics

MOBILE, Ala. – Brandon Bridge threw for 169 yards and two scores and Trey Fetner reached the end zone twice on the ground, leading the Blue Team to a 33-24 victory over the Red Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the University of South Alabama football program’s annual spring game.

Bridge completed 10-of-18 attempts overall, opening the scoring with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Sappington less than three minutes into play while hitting Tyrome Bivins for a 44-yard score midway through the third period.  Fetner — who carried six times for 35 yards in the contest — gave the Blue the lead for good with a one-yard touchdown run 32 seconds before the break, and he closed out the scoring crossing the goal line from one yard out on the final snap.

“I think I did alright today,” observed Bridge.  “I threw the first (interception) early in the game, but I tried to have a short memory about it and just come back ready for the next play.  I think our guys did great today, we ran mostly basic plays today and I think we all executed well.

“Everyone just wanted to show the fans what they can expect from the 2013 Jaguars.”

With the Blue ahead 14-10 there were three scores in the final three minutes of the first half.  Logan Gunn connected on a 41-yard field goal to draw the Red within four points, and after a Desmond LaVelle interception Jay Jones capped a four-play, 27-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give the team its first lead 17-14.

Fetner responded by marching the Blue squad down the field 65 yards in eight plays and a minute and 21 seconds, giving it a 20-17 edge at the half with his first score.  He picked up first downs on gains of 14 and six yards, moving the unit down to the Red-2 with a 43-yard pass to Sappington.

Bridge’s scoring pass to Bivins extended that advantage to 10 points, with the Red able to make it a one-score game when Derric Burrell scored on a four-yard run on the opening play of the final period.  The Blue took over with five minutes left on the clock after stopping the Red on fourth down from the R-47, and did not relinquish possession the rest of the way.

The Blue held a 362-304 advantage in total offense, with 256 of those yards coming through the air.  Sappington recorded three catches for 80 yards, while Bivins added a game-high 96 yards on two receptions.  Julien Valentin collected 39 yards on seven carries to pace the team, and Dennis McMillian chipped in with four attempts for 31 yards.

Qudarius Ford and Cordivido Grice were each credited with seven stops to lead the Blue, with E.J. May supplying five stops and two interceptions.  Bryson James, Tyrell Pearson and Enrique Williams all made five tackles, and Pearson picked off a pass as well.

“I feel like I had a lot to prove today and did the best I can do,” May observed.  “I just played loose coverage and jumped the ball.  This spring is a great jump start for the fall.”

Red quarterbacks combined to complete 17-of-27 pass attempts for 160 yards, with the squad gaining 144 more on the ground.  Grant Powell hit 5-of-9 passes for 41 yards while pacing the squad with an additional 40 on six rushes.  Kolt Peavey was 5-of-7 passing for 41 yards, Ross Metheny completed 7-of-11 passes for 78 yards, and Waldon and Jones caught three balls each; the former posted 42 yards to lead the team.

“I feel I learned a lot today.  I just wanted to evaluate myself and see how I did,” said Jones.  “We were able to come out here and showcase all of the hard work that we’ve put in this spring.  Both teams looked good today.  We were able to capitalize on mistakes by the other team.”

Eric Miller’s six tackles led the Red team, while David Hawkins recorded five stops and an interception.  Ceasare Johnson posted five stops also, LaVelle finished with four and Romelle Jones was credited with the only sack of the day.

After the Blue took a 7-0 lead on Bridge’s first touchdown throw, the Red evened the score on its next possession.  Metheny completed a pair of passes to Waldon for 20 and 14 yards — both moved the chains — before capping the 10-play, 65-yard possession with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jones with just under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Jeremé Jones put the Blue back up by seven with a 36-yard touchdown catch less than seven minutes before the end of the opening half.

“I thought it was the best spring we’ve ever had from start to finish,” commented Jag head coach Joey Jones.  “What I noticed today more than anything is we have more players who can make plays.  As we started subbing twos and threes into the game a lot of them were making plays whereas in the past sometimes they weren’t; we have more depth.  I thought the offense played fast, which was good, but the defense was a little hamstrung because we made them line up in one formation and they were in one coverage the whole time.

“But that’s okay, no one will remember the score two years from now.”

The Jaguars are set to begin the 2013 campaign on Thursday, Aug. 29, when Southern Utah visits Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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