Spring is in the air at Taylor University, evident by the buds on the trees and the blooming flowers in the bushes. Another symbol of the coming of spring is … football? That’s right. The Trojans held their annual spring game on Friday, Apr. 19 at Turner Stadium.
The Taylor spring football game serves as a scrimmage among team members, providing an opportunity for coaches to evaluate player performance and assess team dynamics. It also offers fans a sneak peek into the upcoming season and an out-of-season game featuring modified rules and a relaxed atmosphere
“The spring game is a great way for us as a team to evaluate where we are in terms of our growth,” head coach Aaron Mingo said. “It’s also a time where we can put guys in specific situations and see how they perform.”
This year, the teams were drafted by upperclassmen who were selected by the Trojans’ coaching staff and separated into Team Purple and Team Gray. Team Gray prevailed over Team Purple by a final score of 29-19.
“The spring game is our last big thing at the end of spring ball and it helps us get ready for the offseason and the upcoming fall schedule,” Mingo said.
A part of this relaxed atmosphere included mini-games in between each quarter where members of the team and visiting recruits were able to participate. The mini-games were a punt-catching competition for recruits, a field goal-kicking competition and a crossbar challenge.
The results of these games directly impacted the score of the football game as well, with a various number of points being awarded for which team won each mini-game.
“The mini-games were a super cool way to get the incoming class involved and to add some potential drama into the game,” sophomore wide receiver David Wells said.
Looking past the spring game and to the upcoming schedule for the Trojans in 2024, fans may notice a new conference opponent. That team would be the Yellow Jackets of Defiance College from Ohio.
After some conference realignment, the MSFA (Mid-States Football Association) went through some key changes. The MSFA East division added Defiance College while the MSFA West division added the University of Saint Francis and Marian University.
The Yellow Jackets will be a brand new opponent for Taylor. Defiance went 4-6 (3-4) last season and will look to be competitive in their first season in the MSFA. Their most impressive victory last year came on the road against the Panthers of Hanover College 27-21 on Sep. 30.
Senior quarterback Jordan Ambrose dropped a 27-yard dime to junior wide receiver Jalen Warren with only 51 seconds left on the clock for the go-ahead touchdown. The game was then sealed by a sack in the closing seconds by senior defensive lineman Richard Pope IV.
“Defiance is a great addition to the conference, and we are looking forward to playing them,” freshman defensive lineman Carter Taylor said.
Also on Taylor’s schedule are four straight road games to begin their season. Their season opener comes against Siena Heights University on Aug. 29. Taylor will then travel to Bourbonnais, Illinois, to take on the Olivet Nazarene University Tigers on Sep. 7.
After their game with Olivet, Taylor stays in Illinois and takes on the Eagles of Judson University on Sep. 14. Finally, to wrap up their brutal road schedule, Taylor will take on the Kentucky Christian University Knights on Sep. 21.
After this stretch, Taylor will have their home opener on Sep. 28 at 7 p.m. against the Knights of Marian University.
“The four-game road stretch to start the season will definitely be interesting, but it’s something that the coaches have prepared us for mentally,” freshman wide receiver J.J. Payne said.
With the conclusion of the spring game, the Taylor University Trojans shift their focus to the imminent challenges of the upcoming season. Facing a rigorous schedule that kicks off with four consecutive away games, the team is ready for the trials ahead.
