The quarterbacks received all the hype entering the spring game.
But sophomore running back Spencer Ware stole the show Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium.
Ware rushed for 94 yards and found the end zone twice to lead the white team past the purple squad, 22-7.
“This is a real game, and that’s how you have to look at it,” Ware said. “I am going to do whatever I can to set myself above.”
Ware’s 23-yard scamper set-up a 3-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter,
“I loosened up a little bit once I got that run,” Ware said.
The Cincinnati native also caught two passes for 50 yards.
The quarterback play was highlighted by sophomore quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s 60-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Kadron Boone in the opening play of the second half.
Mettenberger finished the game going 5-for-8 for 86 yards, while senior quarterback Jarrett Lee was 5-for-7 with 24 yards.
Senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson, who played with the first team offense, went 4-for-14 with an interception to redshirt freshman defensive back Ronnie Vinson.
“He is becoming a more mature and complete player,” junior wide receiver Russell Shepard said about Jefferson. “Jordan is having a great spring.”
Fourteen players missed the game due to injury, including sophomore running back Michael Ford, junior defensive end Lavar Edwards, senior linebacker Stefoin Francois and junior wide receiver Chris Tolliver.
Sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery, senior safety Brandon Taylor and senior left guard Josh Dworaczyk have been limited all spring and also sat out the spring game.
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Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter@TDR_Lambert