Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University head football coach Joe Reich was pleased with his team’s spring game effort Saturday. “The day was a success,” Reich says. “We had a great crowd…I believe the biggest we’ve ever had.”
 
Wingate football partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Union County to host an event in conjunction with the spring game. The weekend began Friday with spirit night at Moe’s of Monroe. Proceeds from the spirit night and the spring game will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Union County. “We raised over $2,000 for the Boys & Girls Club,” Reich says. “I am grateful to assistant coach Mike Long and our student-athletes for their passion regarding this partnership.”
 
“We ran approximately 115 plays,” Reich says. “This is by far the most we’ve ever run (in a spring game.). The defense played well. I believe this group is making great strides.”
 
The spring game had a different feel, in Reich’s mind. “In our first scrimmage this spring, the offense had much more success,” Reich says. “In the spring game, the defense was constantly pressuring the quarterback for sacks. The offense was 27-of-43 throwing the ball, but due to the constant long-yardage situations, they were inconsistent in sustaining drives.”
 
Reich knows the Bulldogs have much work to do, but he is optimistic about the future. “I can’t wait for August training camp to get started, so we can continue the progress we made this spring.” Reich shares his post-spring practice thoughts in an interview below.
 
Offense
           
“Number one for us…we want to be more physical in the running game. We have a fairly new offensive line. We are making great progress on the offensive line.”
 
“Number two…we want to continue to get (redshirt junior quarterback) Robbie Nallenweg comfortable…we believe Robbie got better every day this spring. He is developing a great rapport with the wide receivers.”
 
“Number three…we need our receiving corps to continue to make an impact. Chris Bowden had a great spring. Our tight ends (Mark Clyburn and Brandon Ellington) will be very critical to our offense this fall.”
 
“We have seen much development in our receivers, as we have moved Josh Clawson to the Z. He became more and more comfortable as the spring progressed. In the slot (position), we have several players who will rotate and make an impact…Nick Reddy, Cameron Leviner, Brian Carney, Micah Newman and Bryndon Jiles…each one will have every opportunity to step up in the fall.”
 
“It is hard for the receivers to get the reps they need in the fall…this is why the spring is so important. Bowden and Bryan Caffrey have been consistent factors. We believe Bryan (Caffrey) has worked hard to expand his repertoire. We will continue to work on details with the receivers as we open pre-season practice.”
 
“We feel good about the tailback position. Andrew Nallenweg, Josh Covington and Nestor Lantigua…give us many options. Vince Jordan did not take any live reps this spring…he has looked great. Vince believes his knee feels as good as it has felt in a long time. Vince brings so much excitement and potential to the table. We look forward to his return.”
 
Defense
 
“On defense, we are looking to tweak several areas. We will continue to work on these items…as we progress to August and pre-season practices. This spring, we found some things we like…and some things we don’t like. We want to get to the place where we are most comfortable.”
 
“Basically, we have a new defensive line for 2012. Josh Patch returns after missing 2011…Josh is very talented…he needs work and reps…and he will be fine. Justin Davis was a situational guy in 2011. We are looking for him to play a larger role in 2012. He got a ton of reps this spring.”
 
“Steven Jacobs, Nick Napolitano and Shane Outen are three guys we believe are ready to make an impact at defensive end. They have to take the next step…we are not there yet…but we have made much progress. As they increase their efficiency and find the right spots and the right physicality…we will be fine.”
 
"As a team that throws the ball at a high rate…we must develop physicality on both sides of the ball. We don’t want people to say…‘Wingate is a finesse team.’ Our red zone statistics on both sides of the ball must improve in 2012. We will spend time developing our running game…and working on our defense against the run.”
 
“We have a veteran group in the defensive backfield. We worked hard to get them reps in the spring. Timmy Rogers, Robert Fletcher, Jarvis Smith, Warren Brown…we have a veteran group…a group from whom we expect big things in the fall. We want them to perform two-to-three steps above their 2011 level. We are looking for them to go from very good to great. We will develop the veteran (defensive backs) and put depth around them.”
 
Special teams
 
“We spend much (spring) time on the punt team. We work on kick-off team, punt and kick-off return teams less…we have veterans in every (special teams) position. On the punt team, we wanted to get Austin Anthony and Patrick Smith reps on the punt team.”
 
"Matt Sierk has handled all our field goal kicking in the spring. Basically, our kickers are working individually. We sneak them into practice when we can, but the majority of their work is independent.”
 
“On punt returns, we have Bryndon Jiles, Timmy Rogers and Nick Reddy. Bryndon and Nick have the physical skills…Timmy has been the most consistent. Who is the best guy? We will answer this question during pre-season drills.”
 
Boys & Girls Club initiative
 
“(Offensive coordinator) Mike Long and Robbie Nallenweg have done a great job working with Moses Fox and the Boys & Girls Club people. I’m very excited about this opportunity for our program. I’m proud of Mike and Robbie…they have taken an idea…and followed through with it. I believe it is important for us to be involved in a project…which impacts our town.”
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a comprehensive university with more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. The university offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.
 
Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.
 
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past five years.
 
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 42 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 51 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.