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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 27 • 2 got stronger with great springs by Jake Replogle and Michael Rouse; the defense showcased a higher level of physicality now that it has a better grasp of its re- sponsibilities and assignments. With each practice, both units seemed to gain confidence, too. That could be the most crucial ele- ment of all, especially for an offense that needs to start producing big plays and scoring points consistently, quarterback Austin Appleby said. "We know what we're doing. We know how to do it, and it's time to do it. It's Year 3," Appleby said of the offense. "I think in the past maybe we've played slow be- cause we weren't quite sure what to do or how to do it and we were a bit tentative. At this point, it's heck with it. Let's just go play and make things happen. "We've definitely taken strides, and we've got to build upon it." The same could be said for the de- fense, which broke in two new starters at the safety spots and was forced to play with projected starting cornerback Frankie Williams (foot) this spring. Still, sophomore Ja'Whaun Bentley and his linebacking corps were consistently ac- tive and disruptive, and the interior de- fensive line was, too. Those are good signs, Bentley said. "Being gap sound, everybody being where they're supposed to be and play- ing physical football," Bentley said of how the defense improved this spring. "(In the spring game), I felt like we became tougher, a tough-minded football team (because of the split squads)." j Weekly Pic Gerry Robinos Coach Darrell Hazell greets members of the Kickin' It team, which raised $8,515, (the top among teams) and had a couple dozen participants in the annual race. Friends of Gold and Black Illustrated raised over $6,215, coming in as the top indi- vidual fundraiser, nearly tripling the amount from 2014.