Golden Ram Football Club: 2017 Spring Game Report - Purple 24

Some observations from Friday's Purple-Gold game which was won by Purple by a score of 24-7:

Purple featured the first team offense while Gold was manned by the first team defense.
After last season, the only hole on the offensive line was expected to be Doug Gilbert. But starting right guard Tyler Drob did not dress with a brace on his right knee and Jake Duncan, one of the leading candidates to assume Gilbert's left tackle spot, was on crutches. So, from left to right, the o-line was Evyn Stadulis, Vince Lostracco, Devan LaBau, Frank Tranzilli and Alex Host. There's still plenty of experience on this unit.
Purple's three top ball handlers - quarterback Pat Moriarty, wide receiver Tyler Karpinski, and running back Jarel Elder - all looked like the experienced seniors that they are.
Tight end Cody Boozel continued to impress this spring, but his game was cut short by an apparent serious knee injury.
Among the upstarts that had a great showing were running back Nafeese Nasir and wide receiver Rasheem James.
The best defensive showing of the game was defensive end Diquan Gilbert. Granted he was facing the second string offensive line and the officials blew the whistle when the quarterback was touched, but Gilbert was relentless and spent most of the game in the Gold backfield. He was credited with seven sacks in the game.
Eerin Young was as effective as ever as a slot receiver. He looks to continue to be that dual threat on offense - running and receiving.
The secondary was a question going into this spring and looks to have been resolved with incumbent Shaquille James at one corner and Quintin Smith at the other. Sophomores Jarey Elder and Deionte Wilson could be three-year starters at the safety spots.
The standout play of the game was made by linebacker Tyler Morrissey. With purple knocking at the door of a touchdown, Morrissey deflected then intercepted a swing pass and returned for 30 yards. It was a great display of athleticism in pass coverage for the big linebacker.
In the kicking game, Brendan Paulison missed a 45-yard field goal, but George Lambritsios connected on a 44-yarder. All PAT kicks were converted.