It was one-sided, sloppy at times, and in the long run, will mean nothing. Yet, none of that really seemed to matter to anyone on the field or in attendance.

An estimated 30,000 fans filed into Beaver Stadium Saturday to watch the Blue team roll over the White team 35-11 in the 51st annual Blue-White game.

Although the game has no bearing on what the standings will look like next season, this year's version of the spring classic did offer some new wrinkles.

For the first time in four years, the game did not feature a quarterback that had been with the team for three or more seasons. That gave incumbent signal caller and Blue team member Zack Mills the chance to start against much-hyped redshirt freshman Michael Robinson of the White team.

Mills looked like the more polished QB on Saturday, completing 12 of 15 passes for a game-high 113 yards.

Robinson was not as accurate. He completed only 10 of his 33 attempts and was picked off twice. The turnovers were a welcome sight to a defense that only created 12 all last year.

"It is very encouraging because that's what we need to do as a defense is create turnovers and shut down opposing offenses," Blue team senior free safety Shawn Mayer said. "If we do that everything should be easier for our offense."

That type of encouragement came from both squads. Eight turnovers were secured in total by both defenses.

One of the defensive stars was Chris Harrell. The sophomore, who has converted from cornerback to strong safety this spring, came down with two thefts for the White squad.

"It felt real good just to be back to where I was relaxed at and just able to make plays," Harrell said. "I feel at home again."

Also impressive was the play of redshirt freshman defensive end Lavon Chisley of the Blue team. Chisley assisted on two tackles and got vertical a few times, knocking down three White team passes.

On the offensive side of the ball two Blue team running backs came to the forefront. Redshirt freshman Aric Heffelfinger led all players with 92 yards rushing, 51 coming on one scamper.

Junior fullback Sean McHugh was Blue's main receiving target. He caught eight balls for 58 yards, both game highs. The dink and dunk style that was employed by the offenses for much of the game was a result of the defenses' hands being tied.

"It was pretty much because that was what the defense was going to give us today because they can't blitz or anything like that," Mills said. "I'm not going to force it down the field when I can dump it off and get seven or eight yards."

Not quite as impressive was the option game that the offenses tried to employ. On several occasions bad pitches and lack of running back concentration led to fumbles that the defenses were able to capitalize on.

The players chalked the sloppy option play to it being early and the team just wanting to try it out. They said that with some dedication and practice they will iron out the kinks.

In the end it was not the stats or how perfect the play on the field was that mattered most. The most important thing about the Blue-White game is that it gives players and fans the chance to have fun.

"Today was fun," senior cornerback Bryan Scott said. "It was my first and last Blue-White game. I was hurt the past two years so I didn't get to play in it. It was fun, and I also think it was very productive."