White Team Prevails In Spring Scrimmage
Rick Morgan

"Staying healthy" was at the top of the list of each coach who was asked about spring camp's number one accomplishment. That said, it was also unanimous that the day as a whole had been rewarding. Rewarding to see both teams - and both sides of the ball - offering evidence spring's 14 previous practices had put to good use with a spirited scrimmage won by the White team 26-21.

Darron Thomas and Nate Costa knew going into the game that any decision as to which would get the starting nod next fall. That said, each did their best to compound the difficulty of that eventual determination. Quarterbacking the Greens, Thomas was victimized on his first drive for a 54-yard pick six.

With the jump, the White defense allowed Thomas an eleven-yard completion for a first down, but then forced a punt.

Taking possession at his own 31, Costa found Garrett Davis for 38 yards on his snap and on the next connected with Lavasier Tuinei for another 28. On his second shot at the goal line Remene Alston pushed the advantage to 14-0 for the White team.

Thomas and the Greens countered with an impressive drive of their own. Thomas scrambled for eight to get things started then lit the fuse with a 22-yard completion to TE David Paulson. Perhaps the games best player, Kenjon Barner, blasted through the left side for 37. Two plays later he cut the lead in half from the six.

Costa was held to a field goal with his next possession then Thomas went back to work with a quick hit to Barner on the edge that went 20-yards to get the drive started. Barner on the inside hand-off gained nine more, then Thomas found D.J. Davis in seam and hit him in stride for 64 yours and the Green was within three, 17-14.

Thomas' defense held Costa and the Whites to a three and out, getting another possession at his own 26. A pair of completions to Justin Hoffman moved the chains then Thomas let Barner take over. 12 yards. 16 yards. 7, 6, 1 - touchdown, and the Greens complete the comeback and take the lead 21-17.

The second half was played with a running clock and neither quarterback took a snap after the break, leaving Kelly with three months to consider his dilemma though after Saturday's he has the comfort of  knowing his team will be a handful for opponents whomever he hands the reigns to.

Keeping in mind the statistics are of the halftime variety, Barner's attract a lot of attention - nine carries for 96 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Thomas was stellar as well, 15-23 and 196 yards with a score though his interception was the day's only turnover. D.J. Davis led the Green team in receiving with 88 yards on five catches.

Costa finished with a line of 7-13 and 104 yards.

A record crowd for a spring game - the official guess was put at 25,211 but absolutely no one was counting - was also treated to a day long tribute to the area's military community. Commemorative jerseys were worn by each player and following the game were exchanged for military "challenge coins" with each of the enlisted soldiers. One time out featured an on field military promotion ceremony with a commanding officer and the soldier's wife present as the new commission was acknowledged. Immediately after, head coach Chip Kelly became the first civilian to offer his congratulations, approaching the soldier on the sideline.

"Just the way it turned out," offered Kelly for the basis of his satisfaction with the day's events. "You saw some kids make plays on both sides of the ball. It was a special day to have the military here just to thank them. Our way of thanking them is to put on a show. We have a great base for us to build upon as these kids start through their summer work-outs - couldn't have ended in a better way for us."