Orange Prevails in Spring Game, 35-20
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Behind Stephen Morris’ game-high 256 yards and four first-half touchdowns, the Orange team prevailed 35-20 over the White team Saturday during the Miami Hurricanes annual Spring Game.
Miami’s quarterbacks combined for 429 yards and five touchdown passes. Ryan Williams threw for 123 yards and a score on 10-of-25 passing, while Gray Crow was 2-of-8 for 50 yards.
Reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Duke Johnson led all rushers with 120 yards on 10 carries. Redshirt freshman Jontavious Carter led all receivers with 113 yards and five catches. Rashawn Scott continued his impressive spring with five receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Denzel Perryman picked off two passes and added two tackles. Ladarius Gunter and Tracy Howard each recorded five tackles, while Luther Robinson tallied a team-best two sacks.
Morris tossed three first-quarter touchdowns to three different receivers and added a fourth at the start of the second quarter to give Orange a commanding 28-7 advantage.
Orange and White traded 13-yard touchdown passes to open the game. Morris tossed a 13-yard pass to Herb Waters to give Orange a 7-0 lead. White responded with a Williams’ 13-yard dart to Kidd. On the ensuing drive, Malcolm Lewis entered the game for Orange and Morris found Lewis for a 75-yard TD reception. Afterwards, Lewis’ teammates ran into the end zone to celebrate. It was Lewis’ first action since dislocating his ankle at Georgia Tech in the Canes’ fourth game of the 2012 season.
A 15-yard TD reception by Scott put Orange up 21-7 later in the first quarter. Scott posted his second score of the day on Orange’s ensuing drive – a 14-yarder from Morris.
Ricky Perez’s 26-yard field goal cut Orange’s lead to 28-10.
At halftime, the Canes handed out four Spring awards to Nantambu-Akil Fentress (305 Walk-On Award), Olsen Pierre (Defensive Most Improved Player), Danny Isidora (Offensive Most Improved Player) and Herb Waters (Special Teams Most Improved Player).
In the third quarter, White’s second touchdown of the game came from two of the program’s greatest players. Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta took a snap from center Brett Romberg, who was inducted Thursday into the UM Sports Hall of Fame, and tossed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Houston Texans All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson.
Orange’s final touchdown came on a two-yard run by Dallas Crawford for a 35-17 lead.
With the spring practice slate concluded, the Miami Hurricanes will return to practice in August for fall camp. Miami’s 2013 season opener is Aug. 30 against FAU at Sun Life Stadium.
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