Green Trumps White 14-7
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State closed out its 2011 spring football campaign with its annual Green & White Game Saturday at Doc Wadley Stadium.
Ryan Nolan's five-yard run late in the third quarter provided the difference as the Green squad logged a 14-7 win over the White in the 2-hour intrasquad scrimmage.
Head coach Kenny Evans said he saw several positive things from his group on the warm and windy afternoon.
"We were able to accomplish everything we set out to do with the 15 days of spring ball," said Evan. "The one thing that really stood out today was the running of Joel Rockmore, but there were others who stepped up and played well.
"We started preseason with 120 and finished with 90. There are battles at every position and I expect that will be the case when we pick back up in August. No position has been solidified and that makes for some terrific competition; something we haven't had in my four years here."
Sean Donohue scampered 73 yards on the first play from scrimmage for the Green to put his team in front 7-0 early in the first quarter. Donohue, a returning wide receiver, also caught five passes during the game.
Rockmore scored the White's lone TD later in the first period on a play that appeared headed for a loss of yardage. However, the speedy redshirt freshman made three defenders miss, then broke into the open and ran 57 yards to paydirt for a 7-7 score.
Nolan capped a 50-yard scoring drive in the third on a bootleg around the right end. The winning drive was set up when Terrance Leach picked off a pass and was tackled at midfield.
"When we return in the fall we'll have an offensive line that's been playing together for three years and we've bolstered that position with four transfers," said Evans. "Trey (McVay) and Nate (Robinson) were two we held out today because of injury, but they'll be ready to go.
"One thing we are going to have to do is get better game management out of our quarterbacks. Kenny Davis is the returning starter and the behind him, it's wide open. However, we are still turning over the ball way too much. That is going to have to change."
The RiverHawks are scheduled to open the 2011 season at home on Aug. 27 when it hosts Bacone College. A week later, NSU will travel to face the University of Texas-San Antonio in the Alamo Dome where Northeastern State alumnus Larry Coker will launch that school's first-ever football program.
