College Football Teams That Had Highest 2016 Spring Game Attendance
Spring games offered fans one final opportunity to cheer on their favorite college football teams before the quiet portion of the offseason, and they certainly took advantage.
In addition to one school setting a new national single-game record, several programs reported their largest turnouts ever for the glorified scrimmage.
Though the Big Ten and SEC dominated the attendance numbers, a couple ACC teams sneaked into the top 10. Auburn, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma just missed the mark.
Note: All reported attendance data used was found on each school's official athletics website.
Florida Gators
1 of 10
Reported Attendance: 46,000
The Florida Gators took over The Swamp at night.
According to the school, 2016 marked the first time Florida held its spring game under the lights. And quarterback Luke Del Rio put on a show.
Del Rio—a two-time transfer—stood out ahead of Austin Appleby, Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks. The redshirt sophomore completed 10-of-11 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
Cornerback Duke Dawson snatched two interceptions, but the biggest development for the Orange & Blue Debut was on special teams. Freshman kicker Eddy Pineiro connected on three 45-plus-yard field goals.
"It's a little bit of a relief for us, as a staff," head coach Jim McElwain said, per Chris Harry of the Gators' team site. "We wanted to see how he would do coming into the stadium and I thought he answered the bell pretty darn good."
Florida State Seminoles
2 of 10
Reported Attendance: 49,913
The Florida State Seminoles took their show on the road, heading to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando for the Garnet and Gold Game.
That decision had a simple two-fold reasoning: First, Orlando is a more central location in Florida, so recruits—particularly from South Florida—were more likely to make the trip. Second, the Seminoles open the 2016 regular season against the Ole Miss Rebels at the Citrus Bowl.
However, the only winner that emerged from the spring game was quarterback Sean Maguire—who didn't even take a snap because he was still in recovery from ankle surgery.
Following the 24-24 tie that showcased young quarterbacks Deondre Francois and Malik Henry, head coach Jimbo Fisher said Maguire would enter fall camp as the No. 1, according to Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel.
Clemson Tigers
3 of 10
Reported Attendance: 50,500
When teams earn success on the field, crowds will follow. Fresh off an appearance in the National Championship, Clemson reported a school record of 50,500 for the spring game.
Star quarterback Deshaun Watson only led four drives, but two ended with him throwing touchdowns. The reigning ACC Player of the Year finished 7-of-11 for 141 yards.
The Tigers sent nine players to the NFL, but Dan Hope of the Independent Mail notes that the roster's youth shined during the exhibition.
Clemson won't have any trouble filling Memorial Stadium this season.
Michigan State Spartans
4 of 10
Reported Attendance: 51,000
The Michigan State Spartans posted a new program high, reporting a total of 51,000 in Spartan Stadium.
"I thought, first of all, great crowd," head coach Mark Dantonio said, according to the school. "A lot of people came. Tremendous crowd for us. We keep trying to raise the bar a little bit as we move forward, but very appreciative of everyone coming and being a part of things."
The fans received a first-hand look at probable starting quarterback Tyler O'Connor, who tallied a 10-of-16 mark with 138 yards and one touchdown. He added a 27-yard scamper.
Barring a surprise ascent from Damion Terry or Brian Lewerke, O'Connor will lead Michigan State's Big Ten title defense in 2016.
Penn State Nittany Lions
5 of 10
Reported Attendance: 65,000
Despite three straight seven-win seasons, there's still a buzz around the Penn State Nittany Lions thanks to new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead's up-tempo attack.
Quarterback Trace McSorley didn't win the starting job during the Blue-White Game, but the sophomore certainly didn't hurt himself.
In front of 65,000 fans, McSorley completed 23-of-27 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Receivers Saeed Blacknall, Chris Godwin, Tom Pancoast and DeAndre Thompkins each reeled in a score.
The Blue team registered a 37-0 victory, and McSorley exited the spring as the favorite to replace Christian Hackenberg.
Tennessee Volunteers
6 of 10Reported Attendance: 67,027
Points were not at a premium during the Orange and White Game.
Head coach Butch Jones used a unique scoring system, rewarding the offense and defense for various plays. The defense ultimately claimed a 70-63 victory.
Granted, the Tennessee Volunteers' best offensive talents had minor roles. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs attempted nine passes, while running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara combined for 13 carries.
Linebacker Quart'e Sapp registered nine total tackles, and freshman cornerback Marquill Osborne finished with eight stops to cap his spring debut.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
7 of 10
Reported Attendance: 72,992
The Nebraska Cornhuskers also implemented a non-traditional scoring system, and the defense stole a 46-41 win because somebody needs to get fired.
Hopefully that's an understood joke, but 72,992 fans watched an exciting ending at the Red-White spring game. Despite holding a 41-40 lead with eight seconds remaining, the Red team elected to throw the ball. Quarterback Patrick O'Brien tossed an interception.
It was a neat story, though, because walk-on corner Kyle Kasun nabbed the game-winning pick. Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald shared Kasun's story.
Starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong completed eight passes for 80 yards and racked up 120 yards on six carries, including a nifty 37-yard touchdown run.
Alabama Crimson Tide
8 of 10
Reported Attendance: 76,212
Good thing the Alabama Crimson Tide won the national championship last season. Otherwise, A-Day attendance numbers might've dropped for the fifth-straight spring.
In 2015, the Crimson Tide managed just 65,715 people—you know, only the country's fourth-highest total—but 76,212 fans entered Bryant-Denny Stadium this year.
The exhibition highlighted a strong and deep Alabama defense. Sophomore receiver Derek Kief caught A-Day's lone touchdown, which gave the White team a 7-3 win over the Crimson.
Dangerous edge-rusher Tim Williams had two sacks, and linebacker Rashaan Evans amassed 17 total tackles.
Georgia Bulldogs
9 of 10
Reported Attendance: 93,000
The "new coach smell" lured a massive crowd to Athens for G-Day. Kirby Smart said he wanted 93,000 supporters to fill Sanford Stadium, and 93,000 answered the call.
"I tell you what, for the fan base to come out to support our program and to support our kids the way they did, it touches me in my heart and makes a special moment," Smart said, per the school. "It speaks volumes for where Georgia's headed and what it can do."
Fans nearly doubled the program's previous record of 46,815.
True freshman quarterback Jacob Eason demanded the most attention, beginning his push for the starting job with an impressive 19-of-29, 244-yard, one-touchdown performance.
Ohio State Buckeyes
10 of 10
Reported Attendance: 100,189
Ohio State Buckeyes supporters engulfed The Shoe, pouring in a new spring game record of 100,189 football-craving fans.
The November-like turnout topped the mark (99,391) Ohio State set in 2015, which bested its previous high (95,722) in 2009. Columbus certainly loves its football, no matter the month.
While quarterback J.T. Barrett is the undisputed starter, Joe Burrow presented a strong case for the backup job. He connected on 14-of-23 passes with 196 yards and three touchdowns, hitting potential breakout-star receiver Torrance Gibson for two scores.
Ohio State must replace 12 NFL draft picks, but there's no question that Ohio Stadium will be loaded in 2016.
Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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