FARGO, N.D.--Junior halfback Mark Moore raced 47 yards for a touchdown to lead the Green to a 10-9 victory over the Gold in the North Dakota State University Outback Steakhouse Spring Football Scrimmage played Saturday, April 23, before 1,414 fans at the Fargodome.
North Dakota State first offense played against the first defense, while the second offense went against second defense during the final day of the 2005 Bison spring football practices. The scrimmage featured 593 yards of total offense, but the defense combined to force five turnovers on three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
"I think we're a team of potential right now that needs to mature. Those things come about during the course of the summer with our off-season workouts," said North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl.
"I think you saw a lot of athleticism. Our execution isn't where we need it to be, but that is somewhat typical of spring football. We have a lot of players with ability, but we need to have them that turn into productivity and become more consistent."
Moore broke free from several tacklers on the game-winning touchdown with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter and Kyle Wilcox nailed the extra point to put the Green ahead 10-9. Moore led all rushers with 121 yards on 11 carries as the Green rolled up 215 yards on the ground.
Green junior free safety Tony Bizal picked off a Steve Walker pass at the Green 22 yardline and raced 31 yards to the Gold 47 to setup Moore's touchdown. Bizal was one of the mainstays of the Green defense with seven tackles including one for a loss and a pass breakup.
Walker, who directed the Bison to three straight wins to end the 2004 season, hooked up with favorite target Travis White on a familiar pass route for a 25-yard scoring play with :22-seconds remaining in the second quarter. White, who was blanketed on the play, hauled in the pass in the right corner sideline of the end zone to put the Gold ahead 9-3.
The Gold four play, 49-yard scoring drive was setup by a Terry Payer fumble recovery. Both fumbles occured in the space of :20-seconds in the final minute of the second quarter. Sophomore cornerback Symeon Cabell came up for a loose ball for the Green squad to stop a Gold drive the previous possession.
Walker completed 20 of 41 passes for 214 yards, two interceptions and a TD. White caught six passes for 108 yards, while Nick Jackson made five receptions for 64 yards and tight end Andy DelaBarre hauled in four for 29.
The teams traded first quarter field goals. Wilcox booted a 37-yarder for the Green with 7:09 left, while Cory Vartanian kicked a 40-yard field goal with 2:04 left to the game at 3-3. Mike Dragosavich did all the punting, launching 12 kicks for a 44.8 yard average including a long of 68.
Redshirt freshman strong safety Nick Schommer led the Gold defense with nine tackles and interception, while redshirt freshman linebacker Nick Compton added seven tackles including a sack. Sophomore defensive end Casey Radtke added a sack for the Gold. Redshirt freshman, linebacker Mike Maresh played for both teams, and finished with an interception and nine tackles including a sack.
The Green defense was also sparked by junior strong safety Craig Dahl, who finished with a team-high nine tackles including one for a loss and a pass breakup, while senior cornerback Scott Walter recored eight tackles and two pass breakups. Adam Palczewski was credited with a sack.
