Offense Downs Defense in Annual Spring Game

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April 17, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-A balanced offensive attack enabled the Blue Offensiveteam to down the White Defensive squad 33-20 in the University ofVirginia’s annual spring football game at Albemarle High School.

Under new offensive coordinator Gary Tranquill the Blue Offense rushed for323 yards and passed for 356 yards. Quarterbacks Dan Ellis and David Riverseach turned in solid performances. Ellis started at quarterback andcompleted 15 of 18 passes for 145 yards, while Rivers completed 10 of 21passes for a game-high 190 yards and one touchdown.

Wide receiver Kevin Coffey led all receivers with six catches for 102 yardsand a touchdown. The quarterbacks spread the ball around, completing passesto 12 different receivers.

Antwoine Womack led a trio of tailbacks with 143 yards rushing on 22carries, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown jaunt in the third quarter.Red-shirt freshman Arlen Harris rushed 18 times for 93 yards and scored ona 30-yard run late in the contest. Thomas Jones, the ACC’s leading rusherin 1998, carried 12 times for 81 yards and a touchdown while playing justthe first half.

The offense kicked three field goals during the game. Todd Braverman bootedkicks of 23 and 40 yards, while David Greene had a 36-yard field goal.

The defense forced the offense to punt nine times during the game,including blocking a punt in the second quarter. Defensive back Tim Spruillled the defense with a game-high 10 tackles. A trio of linebackers-YubrenalIsabelle, Earl Sims and Shannon Taylor-each recorded eight tackles. Taylorwas in on four tackles for lost yardage, while Isabelle was in on threestops behind the line of scrimmage, including one quarterback sack. Inaddition, Isabelle had the only pass interception. Defensive tackle MauriceAnderson led the linemen with six tackles, including a game-high two sacks.

The scoring rules were modified a bit for the game. Touchdowns counted forsix points, but extra points were not included. Field goals were worththree points. The defense received one point for forcing the offense topunt and three points for a fumble recovery, interception or blocked kick.

The Cavaliers begin their 1999 season Sept. 4 against North Carolina inChapel Hill, N.C.