Defense Holds the Edge in Spring Game
AMES, Iowa – ISU backup quarterback Jerome Tiller completed 14-of-24 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and scored on a 65-yard run to lead the Gold team past the Cardinal team, 34-16 before 7,000 fans at Jack Trice Stadium for the ISU Gridiron Club spring game. The contest was set up so that starting quarterback Austen Arnaud and the first-team offense played for the Cardinal team against Iowa State’s first-team defense of the Gold squad the entire game.
Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads, making his spring game debut from down on the field, said stats from the game were not worth a thing. Arnaud was 22-of-35 for 250 yards and a TD pass to wide receiver Joel Zitek.
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“When you pair them up athletically, Austen still has the edge right now,” Rhoads said. “Still, there is no denying that there is something about a game that brings out the best in Jerome.”
Senior Jesse Smith got the Gold team on the board when he picked off an Arnaud pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. The Gold team led 14-6 at the half. After a 10-minute intermission in which both teams stayed on the field, Tiller ran off his long scoring run untouched. Both Arnaud and Tiller wore blue jerseys signifying they could not be tackled but would be considered down if they were touched.
“I was very pleased with the effort the kids expended today,” Rhoads said. “I didn’t see any loafing today. I never saw a lack of effort. These kids love this university and wearing the Cardinal and Gold.”
Arnaud concurred with his head coach.
“We played hard and for the most part showed good effort,” Arnaud said.
Sophomore wide receiver Sedrick Johnson was a force, making a game-high nine catches for 100 yards for the Cardinal team.
Smith led the Gold defense with nine tackles. Fellow linebacker Josh Raven made six tackles and had a sack for the Cardinal team.
