The dark clouds rolled away as the temperature crested into the 50s. U2 blasted through Camp Randall Stadium as the Badgers charged onto the field. College football is back.
Well, not really, but Saturday meant springtime football for the Badgers as well as many other schools around the country.
These glorified scrimmages are not the end all-be all of what’s to come in autumn, but there is a lot to be learned as 129 schools begin their quest to win the inaugural college football playoff.
Spring football is a great way to get the fans involved and give them a taste of the season to come. It is also a great time for younger players to get invaluable reps and help the coaches make decisions on tight position battles.
Spring games typically follow the old creed of “Whose Line Is It Anyway:” The rules are made up, and the points don’t matter. That being said, it’s typically fun to gaze around the college football landscape and see preposterous scores and colorful team names (See what I did there?).
Let’s start at home where the Cardinal defeated the White in a resounding 6-0 victory. This thunderous shutout resonated through the Big Ten. However, the real winner at the spring game was redshirt sophomore defensive back Dare Ogunbowale, who won the dance contest.
Other notable spring game winners include Tennessee freshman wide receiver Josh Malone. His six catches propelled the White team over the Orange team 129-100. Yes, that was the score.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston was sighted at the Florida State spring game. The Heisman winner threw for 396 yards before bolting to play a baseball game Saturday night in Atlanta.
Other notable spring matchups included the one at Notre Dame’s. The Blue and Gold game saw the return of senior quarterback Everett Golson, who led the Fighting Irish to the national championship game in the 2012 season.
The spring fever was rampant throughout the landscape but one spring game was better than the rest. The Nebraska spring game didn’t start off with a bang but rather a purr, when head coach Bo Pelini walked out of the tunnel stroking a cat before holding it up Lion King style to fans at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
The cat is an ode to the Pelini parody Twitter account @FauxPelini and is proof that the Internet officially wins at everything for forever. The account’s profile picture is the coach in an ugly holiday sweater holding a furry cat. Obviously this is what Adobe was hoping for when they released Photoshop.
Spring games next week include: Alabama, Auburn, Washington, USC, Texas and Missouri. If you’re looking to wish ill will upon Bret Bielema you’ll have to wait until April 26.
Now and forever, see you Saturday.
What was your favorite spring game moment? Are you ready for college football to return? Share your excitement with Grey by emailing gsatterfield@wisc.edu.
