FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Defense Continues to Shine in Final Contest  

EPHRAIM, Utah-April 26, 2005-Snow College wrapped up spring football with the annual Blue and White game Saturday. The Blue team shut out the white team 13-0 in a game dominated by a Badger defense that demonstrated depth at defensive line, linebacker and at safety throughout the spring.

"The most impressive accomplishment was a defense at it's best in the red zone (an area within 20 yards of the goal line)," said Titan Trimble, Badger head coach. "Neither the blue or white teams gave up scores in the red zone and only one touchdown was scored in the red zone in the two other scrimmages."

The blue and white teams were a balance of first, second and third team players selected in a draft by the coaching staff earlier in the week. The game was played like a regular season game - featuring four quarters, officials and an announcer. The only difference was a running clock in the fourth quarter.

"We wanted to simulate a home game situation. We didn't play well at home last season and that must change this year so we held a pre-game walk through, pre-game meal and even a coaches speech before leaving the locker room prior to the game," remarked Trimble.

The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. Late in the second quarter, quarterback Cade Cooper connected with Travis Henderson for a long gain and the white team was threatening. The Blue team turned the threat back when Cole Hall intercepted a Cooper pass and returned it to the Blue 40-yard-line with 38 seconds left in the half. On first down, quarterback James Pritchard scrambled out of trouble and found James Brady for a gain down to the White 28-yard-line. On the following play, with seconds left to play in the half, Pritchard found Joe Hawkins for a touchdown in the right corner of the endzone. The score gave the Blue team a 10-0 lead at the half.

The defenses were even tougher in the second half - keeping the offenses out of the end zone. The lone score was an Adrian Vera field goal late in the third quarter. Vera kicked 52- and 54-yard field goals. He'll handle placekicking and punting duties in the fall.

"Adrian is a weapon and we'll use him a lot this season," said Trimble. "This kid is such a good kicker that the red zone begins at the 35-yard-line for us this season. What I mean by that is once we're inside the other team's 40-yard-line we can seriously think about kicking a field goal."

Trimble was pleased with the entire defense but singled out Brett Madsen, who had several quarterback sacks and hurries; Cole Hall, who had two interceptions for the Blue team; Ryan Jensen for stuffing running plays on numerous occasions from the safety position; and Derrick Brown and Tico Pringle who not only excelled at coverage but delivered some bone-crushing hits from their cornerback positions. Trimble also named Fotu Kofutua, Malele Mafua and Tyler Lee as standouts along the defensive line.

"Besides their red zone performance, the defense really performed on third down," said Steve Coburn, Badger defensive coordinator. "We've emphasized knowing down and distance - particularly on third down, and playing with increased effort and intelligence on third down. The defense did that today."

Offensively, Trimble was pleased with Pritchard's decision-making and the overall performance of both offenses on first down. "We want five yards on every first down this season and both teams did a nice job of it several times Saturday," said Trimble. Trimble singled out Pritchard and James Brady for connecting on several short routes and first down as well as Benny Tonga who gained four to six yards several times.

"Our mindset is that we will not force the ball - we don't want to make mistakes," remarked Trimble. "For example, on third-and-long we may take a long shot down field if it's clearly open; but more often than not, we'll ask the quarterback to throw an underneath route. If we don't pick up the first down, it's okay. We'll punt and our defense will get the ball back for us in a better position."

The Badgers will now break camp until a May tryout for walk-ons and fall camp that will begin in August. Snow opens the season on Friday, September 2 in Colorado Springs against Air Force. The home opener will be Saturday, September 10 at 1:30 p.m. against Georgia Military.

Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 3,000 students at its Ephraim campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas.  Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.

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