Boo Stars in Athens; Ur, Fenske Lead Aztecs

Boo Jackson Sharp in Spring Game

by JASON ARKLEY

Athens Messenger

For a second, Boo Jackson thought he was back in southern California.The good news for the Bobcats was the junior quarterback was playing like it as well.

Jackson, a junior who arrived in Athens just a month ago out of junior college, tried to steal the show during Ohio's annual Green & White Game Saturday afternoon inside Peden Stadium. The White squad won 20-14, but Jackson won as well by completing a sharp 16-of-20 passes for 190 yards and no interceptions.

During a warm afternoon in front of 1,589 spectators, Jackson displayed the kind of passing acumen Ohio was hoping for when it signed him out of El Camino CC. He hit receivers in rhythm, on the move and from the pocket, and avoided any costly turnovers.

"A little bit," Jackson said when asked if he felt like he was back on the West Coast. "I woke up, saw the sun and just starting smiling."It was a great day," he added. "When we started, I just felt good and it ended good. It was a good day. I'm getting down the offense, that's what it is."

Junior Theo Scott, the No. 1 QB entering the spring and now heading to the offseason, hit 7-of-12 passes for 102 yards. Scott was picked off twice, both times by junior safety Donovan Fletcher, in his first three pass attempts however.

Head coach Frank Solich said Scott tried to force some early throws. Scott agreed."I'm going to take this as a learning experience. I'll bounce back," Scott said. "That's what makes the difference between normal guys and great guys - can you handle the pressure and compose yourself?"I should have played my game," he added. "I was trying something different and different didn't work. You all saw it."

Junior Brandon Jones, a solid No. 3 at QB, went 7-of-11 for 82 yards. Jones was intercepted on the two-yard line when his throw on a deep go rout was swiped by junior safety Patrick Tafua. Jones also hooked up with tight end Adam Olsheski for a seven-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

Solich said Scott would have the edge going into fall camp with his previous playing experience, but added the situation was far from decided."I think Theo was pressing a little bit. He had a very, very good spring and I think he wanted to show that today," he said. "But he came around and played well."Boo had a good game, threw for a lot of yards," Solich added. "Brandon completed some good passes. When you look at the quarterback play, the talent is there. We have to get consistent and getting consistent I think we can put on the field a pretty good offensive football team."

Ohio opens the 2008 season on Aug. 30 at Wyoming.

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Duane Meets Up with Ryan Brown Again

At the Mt. SAC Relays last weekend DUANE SOLOMON met up with the man who dogged him much of last season. Solomon placed second in the men's Invitational 800m race with a time of 1:47.33, .15 seconds behind former Washington Husky Ryan Brown. Despite finishing second Solomon’s time was the second best by a collegiate runner this season.

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Aztecs Fifth in MPSF Women's Polo
Nip Cal for Fifth after upset loss to Hawaii

SAN DIEGO - Sophomore Ronni Gautschi scored one of her game-high four goals in the first overtime period to lift fourth-seeded San Diego State to a 12-11 victory over No. 7 seed California at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Scarlet and Black captured fifth place at the conference tournament for the second consecutive year.

In addition to Gautschi's top performance, Anna Gonzales notched a hat trick, while Danielle Pelke added a pair of goals. Tiphanie Elliott, Jenna Schuster and BECCA UR rounded out the Aztec scorers. Senior goalkeeper HEATHER FENSKE had a phenomenal game in the cage, turning away 13 shots.

On Friday the Aztecs tripped against Hawaii 10-9.

Sophomore Danielle Pelke led the Scarlet and Black with her fourth hat trick of the season and junior Anna Gonzales chipped in a pair of goals. Jenna Schuster, Ronni Gautschi, Erinn Greenwood and Becca Ur rounded out the Aztec scorers, while senior Heather Fenske notched 10 saves in the loss.

SDSU Rebounded Saturday as Ur led the team to a 9-7 victory over San Jose State.

Jenna Schuster recorded a hat trick to pace the Aztecs and Becca Ur chipped in a pair of goals while Heather Fenske notched seven saves.

Ur sparked the Aztec offense in the second quarter, drilling a shot past Spartan goalkeeper Kendra Adama to give SDSU its first lead of the day with 7:27 remaining in the half. SJSU was able to knot the score at 2-2, before Ur set up Schuster with a cross-court pass. Ur then closed out the half with her second tally of the period, putting the Scarlet and Black up 4-2 at the break.
SDSU holds a 29-6 record on the year, tying a program-best for wins in a season. The Aztecs now prepare for the NCAA national championships at Stanford on May 9.