Roberson, Wynn shine in exhibition game

To say wide receiver Shane Wynn — known for being one of the more vocal players of the IU football team — was excited about his team’s win would be an understatement.

Wynn was asked if the spring game win would give him bragging rights. He said he was already celebrating his victory before the clock hit zero.

“I was talking on the field,” Wynn said with a laugh. “Before the game was even over, I was making them mad.”

Wynn captained the Cream team in the annual spring football game. His 141 receiving yards led the Cream team to a 24-14 victory against the Crimson team in front of a crowd of 9,231 people Saturday in Memorial Stadium.

Both quarterbacks, who will be juniors next fall, played on opposite teams. Nate Sudfeld led the Crimson team while Tre Roberson led a quick-strike Cream attack in windy conditions.

“The wind was a factor, but this is the Midwest,” Roberson said. “You gotta be able to play in the wind.”

Roberson said his favorite target was Wynn, who — thanks to Kofi Hughes and Ted Bolser graduating and Cody Latimer forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL draft — will be the only returning starting receiver this fall.

Wynn, a 5-foot-7 speedster, was exclusively used in the slot receiver last season. During the offseason, the coaches challenged Wynn to play more on the outside of the formation.

He said he’s still learning the nuances of being split out wide.

“I wouldn’t say I’m comfortable,” Wynn said of playing outside. “They (the coaches) help me with a lot of plays. I know most of them, but I would say I’m about 85-percent comfortable outside. But I still know everything inside.”

Roberson had 176 passing yards, meaning Wynn accounted for all but 35 of his quarterback’s yardage through the air. Roberson also added 66 rushing yards, including a read-option keeper that fooled everybody in the stadium.

Roberson faked a handoff to tailback Tevin Coleman — who finished the day with 61 rushing yards on just three carries in limited action — and took off sprinting past the left side of the offensive line.

Everybody on the Crimson defense was fooled, and Roberson ran 59 yards untouched for the touchdown.

The play even fooled Roberson’s own offense.

“Yeah, he tricked me,” Wynn said. “I was looking at the tailback and he had stopped. So I’m like, ‘Man, what is he doing?’ Then everybody started cheering and I’m like, ‘Man, Tre’s got the ball.’”

Roberson and his counterpart Sudfeld — who went 29-40 for 273 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions — split time for the majority of the 2013 season. A starter is not likely to be announced any time in the 138 days before the team’s home opener against Indiana State Aug. 30.

In the season opener last year against Indiana State, the starter was announced just two hours and 54 minutes before kickoff via the team’s official Twitter account.

Wilson said he likes having two quarterbacks that play at a high level. The lack of having a solidified starter isn’t a problem in Wilson’s eyes.

“I don’t know how you can get two quarterbacks on the field at the same time,” he said. “But they might be two of our best 11 guys on our team.”

Follow reporter Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.