News and notes for the MWC, 4-24-12


Air Force
U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. - Seniors and staff of the Air Force football team visited the White House today to receive the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy from President of the United States Barack Obama. The ceremony, which took place in the East Room, was highlighted by senior Jon Davis presenting the president a No. 18 jersey to represent the number of CIC trophies that Air Force has won and fellow senior Tim Jefferson presenting a football with scores from the Army and Navy games this season.
The Falcons won their second straight and record 18th CIC trophy title in 2012. Air Force defeated Navy, 35-34, in overtime in Annapolis and beat Army, 24-14, in Falcon Stadium to secure the title. The Falcons went on to finish 7-6 overall and earn a berth in a school-record fifth straight bowl game. Air Force took on Toledo in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28.
The seniors finished their careers with a 32-20 overall record, including a 6-2 mark against Army and Navy. The seniors became just the fourth class in school history to play in a post-season bowl game every year of their careers.

Boise State
BOISE, Idaho – Rich Rasmussen has joined the Boise State football staff as director of player personnel, head coach Chris Petersen announced Wednesday.
“We think Rich will be a great fit for our program,” Petersen said. “With his experience as a coach and recruiting coordinator, he will be a major asset to our program. He understands what we’re trying to get done, and we look forward to him playing a key role as we continue to grow the program.”
Rasmussen will serve as the on-campus recruiting coordinator for the team, organizing official and unofficial visits for recruits and their families. He will also oversee the football recruiting and scholarship budgets, assist the assistant athletic director for football with summer camps, work with the department’s academic support team and represent the football program at campus and community events.
Rasmussen previously worked at Washington State for four years as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator under former head coach Paul Wulff, and also worked at Eastern Washington for 12 years.

Colorado State
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – With the score 0-0 when the green and the gold teams jogged into the locker room at halftime at Sonny Lubick Field at Hughes Stadium, Shaq Bell thought to himself that the defense might have to step up to win the game.
That is exactly what the junior cornerback did. Bell scored the only touchdown in the spring game, returning an interception 45 yards down the sideline, propelling the gold team to a 10-3 victory.
“In the locker room at halftime it was like somebody on defense was going to have to score,” Bell said after the game. “I jumped the route and took it to the house.”
Of course, there was a little extra motive for winning the game. Head Coach Jim McElwain informed the players that the winning side would be treated to a steak dinner, while the losers would eat beans and hot dogs.

New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- The more they practice, the better he feels.
University of New Mexico first-year football coach Bob Davie told his team that Monday night's practice - No. 14 of 15 spring workouts - was the best of the spring session.
"Maybe they're like Secretariat and they smell that finish line right now with only one practice left," Davie said during a post-practice news conference. "But tonight was probably the most consistent, consistent enthusiasm we've had across the board. So anytime you can finish getting better in these last few practices of college football, you feel  pretty good because obviously these guys feel the sense of urgency and we've got one more practice and it's good to kind of end on a positive here."
The offense again dominated late during live team drills in the latter stages of the practice, getting several long runs from running back Demarcus Rogers and finishing the practice with Lamaar Thomas' option run for a touchdown.
Before that, cornerback Devonta Tabannah had an interception and a pass breakup and safety Dante Caro had an interception in a defensive uprising during 7-on-7 drills.
Davie still told his defense that it had to find its niche upon which it could rely to make stops, and that is still a work in progress. He added, however, that he has seen his players getting better across the board.

San Diego State
No real news related to San Diego State since spring practice.

UNLV
Tim Cornett rushed for a 17-yard touchdown in the second overtime to eventually give Team Red a 23-16 victory over Team White at the annual UNLV Spring Showcase at Rebel Park Friday evening.
With a family-friendly crowd of 2,007 braving unseasonable 90-degree April temperatures at the campus event, Cornett was simply outstanding. The rising junior from Texas has a chance to become the first player since Michael Morton in 1979-81 to lead UNLV in rushing for three straight seasons - and played like it - finishing with 109 yards on just eight carries. His overtime gallop bookended the night's scoring as on the third play from scrimmage, Cornett dashed 57 yards for the opening points.

Wyoming
The Gold Team defeated the White Team by a score of 20-7 on Saturday in Wyoming's Annual Spring Game to bring to a close a month-long period of spring drills for the Wyoming Cowboy Football program. The Pokes opened spring practice on March 21 and concluded on Saturday with their 15th and final practice of the spring.
Head coach Dave Christensen addressed the media after Saturday's Spring Game that lasted for about one hour and twenty minutes and included 90 plays. Approximately 3,000 people were in attendance in War Memorial Stadium and the Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites, where a reception was held for former Wyoming Football Alumni prior to and during the game.
"I think this is the most competitive football team we've had since I've been here," said Christensen. "I think you saw that today with some great hits out there. I really noticed Mark Nzeocha today. I'm really pleased with his progress. There aren't a lot of 6-4, 230-pound safeties that can move like he can. He's the one guy who really stood out to me. A lot of great performances though. We'll evaluate the film -- it's been a great spring. We'll need to get some guys ready who are coming in the fall, but overall I'm very pleased.
"There was a lot of individual improvement across the board on both sides of the ball, and that is probably more important than anything in the spring. We've got a good punter, although he (Tim Gleeson) struggled a little bit today for the first time in 15 spring practices, but he'll bounce back from that. I know we've got a good kicker (Daniel Sullivan). I think we're headed in the right direction."

Nevada
RENO, Nev. – Sophomore Cody Fajardo led a Nevada quarterback trio that completed all but four attempts as the Wolf Pack offense (Silver) took a 43-26 win over the defense (Blue) in the annual Silver and Blue Spring Game on Saturday at Mackay Stadium.
The offense scored two touchdowns but was held two field goals on two other gold-zone drives by the defense, which also recorded a gold-zone interception by senior linebacker Jeremiah Green. The offense won the game using a unique scoring system.
Fajardo, who won the 2011 WAC Freshman of the Year award, was 19-of-22 for 155 yards on the day. His favorite target was senior tight end Zach Sudfeld, who had a monster game with nine catches for 119 yards. Sudfeld was hurt in the season opener at Oregon last year and missed the rest of the season.
The crisp, 92-play scrimmage took just more than an hour and was played in front of about 3,800 fans at Mackay Stadium.

Hawaii
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team will host the “Spring Fling,” the team's final practice of spring training Friday, April 27, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and will conclude with the annual intrasquad scrimmage at approximately 7:00 p.m.
A youth clinic, which is free and open to all children, begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by an alumni flag football game, featuring former UH players, at approximately 6:00 p.m. To participate in the alumni football game, contact assistant coach Tony Tuioti at 956-6508.
The main entrance to Ching Field will be across from the UH Tennis Complex. Bleacher seats hold approximately 800, so fans are encouraged to bring blankets, beach mats or sand chairs, which are allowed on the asphalt and grass areas. Standing on the track will be allowed. Smoking is prohibited inside Ching Field. Rainbowtique will be selling UH merchandise.
At approximately 7:00 p.m., the Warriors will conduct a full-contact intrasquad scrimmage. Players will be available for autographs and photos following the scrimmage, so fans are encouraged to bring their own cameras and items to sign.

Fresno State
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football program announced Monday the addition of four summer camps, bringing the total to five camps the Bulldogs are holding in June.
All five camps will be hosted by the Fresno State coaching staff and are designed develop football skills in a fun, safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all campers.
The Individual Skills and Technique Camp is being held on June 3 at Bulldog Stadium. This camp is for students entering grades 9-12 and will teach each camper necessary techniques and fundamentals of successful play in a specific position.
On June 4-5, the Bulldogs will be hosting the 2012 Youth Football Camp intended for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. This non-contact camp is designed to teach kids the fundamentals of football.
Fresno State is hosting two different team camps this year. The first session runs June 15-18 and the second team camp is scheduled for June 21-24. The team camp is designed teach each team member the necessary techniques and fundamentals of football, along with your high school's offensive and defensive scheme. You may request Fresno State position coaches in your practices to install, drill, work, technique, etc. Controlled contact scrimmages will take place in evenings.