Spring games are usually not a place to find actionable observations for college footabll in general, and we suggest not making many definitive opinions from 99% of spring games. Today isn’t an exception, but it was the first time Tech fans got a real glimpse at quarterbacks Alberto Mendoza and Graham Knowles running the Tech offense.
All of the observations below come with the caveat that this game is not played at full game speed with minimal tackling, so if there’s anything to truly take away from
the game, it’s offensive line performance and QB-WR timing. Head Coach Brent Key in fact was not happy with how tackling was in their scrimmages leading up to the game, so today’s game emphasized tackling positioning on defense over full wrap tackling.
Main Things to Know
Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza was put with the primary offensive players, completing 12 of 16 passes for 148 yards. His only major blemish was a near interception on his second throw into double coverage.
The offensive star of the game was tight end Kevin Roche Jr, catching six balls for 70 yards and a long of 26 yards. He had multiple great catches in tight windows.
Defensively, Noah Carter shined with multiple sacks (touch sacks, of course) and showed great physicality off the line of scrimmage.
Aidan Birr attempted two kicks, a 48 yard field goal that he hit with ease, then a 68 yard PAT (yes, a PAT) that landed just short and right of the goal post. It was good from 65 if he brings it in a yard or two left.
All the quarterbacks threw lots of deep go routes thrown today that were all very well covered. Pass accuracy was not a limiting factor on most of those plays.
Team Swarm won 34-10, for those the final score matters to.
In the run game, JP Powell led all backs with 69 yards, 56 of those coming on a single touchdown run. Justice Haynes ran nine times for 48 yards gained. Malachi Hosely ran for 6.2 yards a carry and 26 total yards.
The team wasn’t fully healthy today. Some guys would’ve played if it was a real game. The best news is that no players were lost for the season in spring practice. The biggest obstacle now for team health is the beginning of fall practice.
After the game, Key confirmed that as expected, Mendoza is currently the starting quarterback. It will take some serious improvement from Graham Knowles or Grady Adamson or an injury to Mendoza to change that up.
There was no reported attendance, but the bottom half of the west stands were mostly full. Easily a few thousand people at least used the game for their Saturday afternoon family activity.
Notable moments by drive
First drive (Team Swarm, Alberto Mendoza QB):
- Mendoza play action naked boot scramble for 9 yards, then Justice Haynes got 6 yards on the ground.
- Mendoza throw into double coverage that should’ve been picked
Second drive (Team WE, Grady Adamson QB):
- Knowles miscommunication on go route. 3rd down went for a deep dig route instead of open guy underneath.
- Joshua Taylor good punt inside 10 yard line
Third drive (Team Swarm, Mendoza):
- Hosely 3 straight runs for a combined 7 yards
Fourth drive (Team WE, Graham Knowles QB):
- Throws behind Spencer Mermans on crosser, then overthrow on deep ball to Cal Faulkner (double covered), another good Josh Taylor punt
Fifth drive (Team Swarm, Mendoza):
- Justice Haynes 8 yard catch then short run for first down
- Another Mendoza scramble, gets 10
- Good comebacker throw and catch to Debron Gatling
- Stringing throws together. Hitting Roche and Allen.
- Tobe good man on man coverage on Allen
- Chad Alexander 3 yard punch in TD
Sixth drive (Team WE, Adamson):
- Sacked on second and third play. Favour Edwin got beat on both sacks
Seventh drive (Team Swarm, Mendoza):
- Great ball to Gatlin in a small soft coverage spot
- Tried a WR throw by Jordan Allen to Haynes, throw was quite short
- 4th & 3 converted to Kevin Roche Jr
- Hosely TD (intentionally weak defense)
Eigth drive (Team WE, Knowles):
- Good deflection by Fenix Felton
- Good JP Powell run around the left edge (Andrew Rosinski set the edge)
- Knowles hitting a couple good long throws toward sidelines to Evan Haynes
- Knowles good third down scramble.
- Aidan Birr 48 yarder pristine
Ninth drive (Team Swarm, Mendoza):
- Flea flicker worked to Jordan Allen
- Gatling Mossed Isaac Obrokta for a TD
Tenth drive (Team WE, Knowles):
- Overthrow to Tre Maddox.
- Deep shot to Cal Faulkner very well covered by Daiquan White
- JP Powell 56 yard TD run
Eleventh drive (Team Swarm, Grady Adamson switched teams):
- Good screen to Chad Alexander
- Found Javion Plummer wide open for an easy pitch and catch
- Jordan Allen ball caught over the middle that would’ve resulted in a concussion seeking hit in a real game
- Chad Alexander easy 11 yard TD run
Twelfth drive (Team WE, Cole Bergeron at QB)
- Bergeron’s first throw nails one to Evan Haynes for 31 yards
- Nearly picked off by Lawson Pritchett on a ball he waited too long to throw
Thirteenth drive (Team Swarm, Adamson):
- Attempted reverse with Tawfiq Thomas went backwards
- Snuck one in to a tiny tiny window to Kevin Roche Jr., followed it with another perfect pass to him to 5 yard line.
- Grady Adamson 3 yard QB keeper touchdown run
