As potential backup quarterback Tommy Lazzaro said following the game, "I have to get a lot better before I compete for the second (string quarterback) job."

Here are some things we learned from the game:

1. Rush is the quarterback, but his backup is less clear

Senior quarterback Cooper Rush sat out Saturday due to tightness in his lower back. In his absence, sophomore quarterback Tommy Lazzaro and redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Johnson were free to compete for the second-string position and possibly the starter in years to come.

Head Coach John Bonamego said Johnson (6-foot-2, 202 pounds) showed more than Lazzaro Saturday, completing 10-of-13 passes for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Lazzaro completed just 5-of-15 passes for 77 yards and 1 touchdown. Both completed passes of 15-yards-or-more for touchdowns.

Bonamego said no decisions about the second-string job have been made from Saturday's results.

"Both are really new in terms of playing experience, so it's great to have them get the experience of being under center in a controlled setting, but still one with people watching, chains moving and the clocks running," Bonamego said. "At this point, we aren't ready to anoint anyone. This (competition) will carry on into the fall with these two guys and the freshmen that will join them."

Lazzaro, who is a transfer from Dodge City Community College, said he knew he struggled Saturday. He said Johnson is a better runner and better pocket passer, but Lazzaro has the stronger, "live arm." Their competition is "healthy," Lazzaro said.

"We're helping each other. We just want to see the best man get the second job," he said. "There's no hostility between us, because we're boys."

Johnson said he was happy about his performance and thought the spring game helped his development.

“I thought today helped my confidence out just actually being in a game-like setting and throwing a couple touchdowns helped it out a little bit,” he said.

2. Although split up on separate teams Saturday, the defense will be strong in 2016

Junior defensive end Joe Ostman said after the game the defense has set a goal to be the "number one" defense in the nation in 2016.

The top-rated defense in the Mid-American Conference a year ago, the gold and maroon teams' defenses combined to allow 28 points Saturday.

Junior defensive lineman Mitch Stanitzek led the way for the gold team with four tackles and one sack. Ostman had three tackles and one sack for the maroon team. Three other Chippewas had three-or-more tackles.

"(The defensive system) is pretty embedded into our heads now," Ostman said. "We know how to run it and it's basically second nature to us."

Bonamego said he doesn't foresee the defense slowing up in 2016.

"We’ve had the top defense in the MAC the last two years," Bonamego said. "That’s something that we take a lot of pride in. It’s part of our tradition. One of the things that has always defined CMU football is great, tough, hard-nosed, hustling, opportunistic defense and I don’t see that changing this year with this group.”

3. Kroll is Rush's top receiving target, but he'll have help in 2016

Newly engaged senior wide out Jesse Kroll only had one catch for 11 yards Saturday, but other wide receivers stood out.

Dearborn Fordson High School alumnus and redshirt freshman Jamil Sabbagh impressed, leading all receivers with three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.

The 5-foot-9, 201-pounder looked capable of contributing in 2016 and has become one of Johnson's favorite targets during Spring practice.

The 6-foot-6 former CMU basketball player Austin Stewart was kept quiet with just one catch for nine yards, but Lazzaro said he will be an unexpected asset in the passing game this fall.

"(Stewart) is a great player. He came out the first day and opened everyone's eyes," Lazzaro said. "He's the type of guy who if you get the ball within 10 feet of him, he's going to come down with it. He needs to work a little more on timing and he's still learning the offense."

For more Spring Game coverage, check out Postgame Central on CM-Life.com