April 25, 2002

SAU Blue-Gold Game Scheduled For Saturday

Magnolia, Ark.-Spring football practice at Southern Arkansas University will be climaxed with the annual Blue-Gold game scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday at Wilkins Stadium. The scrimmage will be followed by an awards ceremony at 11:30 with a cookout for the players and coaches and their families at 12 noon.

Mulerider head coach Steve Quinn and the SAU staff are pleased with the work ethic and improvement shown by their charges throughout the spring. The squad was to choose sides late Thursday to determine who will play for the Blue and for the Gold.

Quinn said he was pleased with the progress of red-shirt freshman Damian Melancon after overcoming an injury. The progress of Melancon as a backup to starting quarterback Ted Williams may allow the ‘Riders to play Donald Butler, last year’s backup quarterback as a true freshman, at running back. The coach added that running backs Torrance Jones and Rodney Hill gives SAU more speed than they had had in several years at the position. Both were starters late last year as freshmen. Quinn praised the improvement of fullback Larnelle Sinegal, who broke his fibula recently but should be at full speed by fall. Last year’s starter, Scott Schroeder, missed spring practice with an injury but Brandon Nightingale, a red-shirt freshman, has come on strong at the position.

Nik Lewis continues to be a big playmaker at wide receiver. Lewis made numerous big plays late last season as a red-shirt freshman after Jason Bennett was sidelined with an injury. Bennett is a threat not only as a wide receiver but has excellent hands as a punt returner.

The offensive line has made progress and should be good in the future, but the youth of the group makes it questionable of how quick they will be ready to play in the rugged Gulf South Conference. The coach said, “they will be good in time.”

Quinn said Andrekus Dixon, a backup linebacker last year, appears ready to be a playmaker this coming season at defensive end. The junior has two letters behind him. The return of linebacker DeVares Campbell, who missed last season, is expected to solidify a position that should be a strong point. He added that cornerback Carl Bucknor is a playmaker and safety Charles Rollins has been playing well in a secondary that is expected to be a team strength.

The defensive line is expected to improve over last season. Although not big, the down linemen have good speed.

A large, enthusiastic crowd has attended the spring Blue-Gold game for the last several years and this year is expected to be no exception.