Ram Page

Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Sports

QB Josh Neiswander

Media Credit: Kimberely Parker Junior wide receiver Brandon Clark runs the ball behind the improved blocking of the Ram Offensive Line at the April 4 spring scrimmage.

The ASU Football team completed a "productive" spring session on Saturday, finishing up with their final scrimmage.

"I thought it was real solid all the way around," Coach Dale Carr said. "It was probably about as good a spring that I have been around."

Carr credits upperclassmen that have grown with the system for the improvements that showed over the spring practices.

"We had a very good productive spring," he said. "We have finally gotten where we have enough guys coming back that we were fairly sophisticated throughout the spring on both sides of the ball."

Defensively, the Rams were very active during the scrimmage, with lots of hard hits and smack-talking, keeping both squads fired up.

Junior defensive back Markeith Jones had an outstanding scrimmage, picking off two interceptions, returning one 31 yards for a touchdown, along with a fumble recovery.

"We just tried to come out and make sure we gave a good effort on D," Jones said. "We wanted to end the spring just like we started, with a lot of intensity."

Senior DB Rickey McKinley showed that intensity with a hit in the first half, which left the fans in attendance gasping in unison, and his unfortunate teammate limping off the field.

Offensively, junior Josh Neiswander showed that he has definitely recovered from last season's injury and is ready to lead the Rams this fall.

Neiswander accurately completed several passes into tight coverage, rarely having to move outside of the pocket to avoid the sack.

"You can't give the o-line enough credit for the job they did today," Neiswander said. "Without them our offense just doesn't work."

Carr echoed the sentiments of his quarterback, acknowledging the work that the guys in the trenches have put in.

"They really took a lot of steps this spring," Carr said. "Some of them are in their second and third year and haven't gotten much playing time, but they show that they are ready to be in a game next year."

Sophomore Wade Goode is one of those guys, happy to see that the work is starting to pay off.

"I think we just decided after last year that we have to work harder in the weight room and get more physical," Goode said. "We still have a ways to go, but we have made a lot of improvement."

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