Omaha Athletics

The University of Nebraska at Omaha offense scored six touchdowns and the defense came up with three big plays to highlight a 60-minute controlled scrimmage Saturday at Caniglia Field.

The 50-play scrimmage also included a pair of field goals by sophomore Greg Zuerlein and 195 yards in total offense as the Mavericks concentrated mostly on their red zone offense.

“We wanted to focus on certain situations instead of just running up and down the field,” UNO head coach Pat Behrns said. “Next week, we’’ have more game-type conditions.”

The Mavericks will hold their Red-White spring game next Saturday at 1 p.m.

With the Maverick numbers down because of some players not participating in spring practice, Greg Wunderlich pulled most of the duty at quarterback with senior Zach Miller out to protect his last semester of eligibility. Sophomore Brian Gralheer, who has been switched to linebacker, spelled the junior from Naperville, Ill.

Wunderlich connected with senior Troy Kush on the second play of the scrimmage for a 20-yard touchdown. In all, he completed 7 of 16 passes for 86 yards. He also threw a 16-yard scoring strike to senior wide receiver David Carey.

Redshirt freshman B.J. Lawrence led the rushing attack with 35 yards on five carries, including a 15-yard touchdown run, the longest rushing play of the day. Senior John McCardle, a transfer from Kansas State, added 26 yards on five carries and scored on a one-yard plunge. Sophomore Arsenio Richardson, who missed most of last season after knee surgery, carried eight times for 23 yards.

Defensively, Hershal Davison blocked a field goal attempt by Zuerlein and Ben Vanderslice and Markey Latham each had interceptions. Senior wide receiver Keith Eloi, who led the team in kickoff returns last season, returned a punt 28 yards.

Zuerlein, 10 of 15 last year on field goals, converted from 33 and 38 yards.

Scrimmage Numbers
Scoring Plays
Troy Kush 20 pass from Greg Wunderlich (no attempt)
John McCardle 1 run (Greg Zuerlein kick)
Austin Williams 4 run (Zuerlein kick)
Zuerlein 38 FG
B.J. Lawrence 15 run (Brady Batchelor kick)
David Carey 16 pass from Wunderlich (no attempt)
Zuerlein 33 FG
Brian Gralheer 2 run (Batchelor kick)

Rushing (No-yards)
B.J. Lawrence, 5-35
John McCardle, 5-26
Arsenio Richardson, 8-23
Austin Williams, 5-20
Robert Wesley 3-4
Brian Gralheer, 1-2
Greg Wunderlich, 3-minus 1
Totals, 30-109

Passing (com-att-int, yards)
Greg Wunderlich, 7-16-0, 86
Brian Gralheer, 0-2-2, 0
Totals, 7-18-2, 86

Receiving (No-yards)
Troy Kush, 1-20
Aaron Konicek, 1-18
David Carey, 1-16
Joe Nairn, 1-10
Arsenio Richardson, 1-8
Kelvin Nesbit, 1-8
Robert Wesley, 1-6

Interceptions (No-yards)
Ben Vanderslice, 1-0
Markey Latham, 1-6

Punting (No-avg)
Jason Schlautman, 4-40.3

Punt Returns (No-avg)
John McCardle, 2-2.0
Keith Eloi, 1-28.0

Blocked FG
Hershal Davison