On Saturday, a month’s worth of spring practice for the football team culminated in the ‘Spring Game,’ a special scrimmage played between the offense and defense, known as the ‘white’ and ‘red’ teams, respectively. White ‘won’, 28-23, after the ‘game’ was declared over after only 3 of 4 quarters. The ‘victory’ had been the result of a rebound, following red leading most of the way. They held white to only 2 touchdowns.

The rules for this game were slightly different than the norm. In addition to the usual touchdowns, field goals, and safeties, points were awarded to each team for things like picking up first downs, defensive stops, fumble recoveries, and interceptions. There were also unlimited timeouts, as well as clock stoppages after almost every play during the first 2 quarters. In addition, a quarterback needn’t be tackled for a sack to be ruled, with only 2 hands on him required. The quarterbacks were identifiable by their blue uniforms. It is typical for a quarterback to be dressed in a different color than the rest of the team during practice sessions.

Starting quarterback and team co-captain Josh Dudash played many of the series, though the other 3 quarterbacks all saw action. The special teams got very little use, with only a couple of kickoff and punting plays. In almost every 4th down situation, the team attempted to convert the first down, not surprising, given the team’s liberal attitude towards 4th down conversion attempts last season.

The defense played a very strong game. In addition to limiting the offense’s production, they were able to pick up 2 interceptions, including one from Cory Giddings, last year’s NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

2007 will be an interesting year because the football team will be independent of any conference. This is extremely uncommon. In 2008, however, they will be playing as a member of the Big South Conference. In the meantime, they will play a diverse schedule, with away games taking them further away from home than before, with games in places such as Ohio and North Carolina. They will also play traditional rivals, such as Hofstra, Albany, and CCSU, the team that ended last year’s championship run.

About the game, Dudash said the team ‘played a lot crisper than last year.’

Head Coach Chuck Priore said, ‘The team is a lot more balanced, which is something we were lacking last year.’

The team’s regular season kicks off on Sep. 1, when they host Georgetown. The kickoff time is yet to be determined.

‘