QB Ragone, WR Jackson Shine In Cards' Spring Game
July 21, 2000 | Football
April 29, 2000
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore quarterback Dave Ragone connected with senior wideout Arnold Jackson on three scoring passes as the University of Louisville football team ended spring drills with its annual spring game in front of more than 2,500 fans.
"I thought we were sharper today than we had been all spring," said head coach John L. Smith. "I wish we could practice for another three weeks because we made a lot of progress. Now, our players have to get stronger over the summer so we can come back and continue getting better."
Ragone entered the game competing with fifth-year senior Mike Watkins for the starting signalcaller spot and posted an impressive afternoon behind the number one offensive unit.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ragone completed 12 of 21 throws for 234 yards and four touchdowns including scoring tosses of six, 47 and nine yards to Jackson. Ragone's fourth TD came on a 76-yard pass play to senior wide receiver Zek Parker.
Overall, four Cardinal quarterbacks accounted for 445 yards of offense through the air.
Jackson led all U of L receivers with eight catches for 140 yards. The Jacksonville native will enter his final collegiate season 63 catches shy of becoming the NCAA I-A all-time leader in receptions.
Parker added four catches for 114 yards including his 76-yard score.
On the ground, junior running back Tony Stallings solidified himself atop the depth chart rushing for 92 yards on 18 carries for U of L.
The Cardinal defense forced a pair of turnovers and hit paydirt as well when sophomore linebacker B.J. Steele picked up a Parker fumble and rambled 38 yards for a score early in the contest.
The Cardinals' other turnover came when sophomore safety Curry Burns pulled in a deflected Gerry Ahrens pass for an interception to end the first half of play.
Scoring Plays
Arnold Jackson 6 pass from Dave Ragone (Wade Tydlacka kick)
B.J. Steele 38 fumble recovery (Tydlacka kick)
Zek Parker 76 pass from Ragone (Tydlacka kick)
Jackson 47 pass from Ragone (Tydlacka kick)
Jackson 9 pass from Ragone (Tydlacka kick)
Kyle Samons 1 run (Tydlacka kick)
Statistics
Rushing - Tony Stallings 18-91, Jeff Hedges 3-31, T.J. Patterson 13-21, Mike Watkins 3-11, Dave Ragone 2-10, Alonzo Morton 1-7, Kyle Samons 3-5, Adewale Agboke 1-4, Dewayne Taylor 1-0, Zek Parker 1-(-4), Gerry Ahrens 3-(-25).
Passing - Ragone 21-12-0-234-4, Watkins 13-8-0-116-0, Ahrens 7-3-1-61-0, Hedges 2-1-0-37-0.
Receiving - H.T. Williams 1-37, Arnold Jackson 8-140, Patterson 1-10, Richard Owens 1-9, Allen Carroll 2-26, Damien Dorsey 4-67, Zek Parker 4-114, Samons 1-7, Robert Redd 1-28, Victor Glenn 1-10
