FARGO, N.D.--The Green (defense) intercepted a pair of Gold (offense) passes and came up with a fumble recovery to jump out to 12-0 lead en route to a 27-16 win in North Dakota State University's annual spring football game played Saturday, April 27, before 4,921 fans at Gate City Bank Field in the Fargodome.
Prior to the opening kickoff, the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS national championship team was honored with their rings in a ceremony at midfield.
The spring game featured 54 plays and used a scoring system to give points for interceptions, fumble recoveries, three-and-out possessions, fourth down stops, tackles for loss, 10-play drives, sacks, along with normal football scoring plays.
Green free safety Christian Dudzik intercepted a pass on the first possession and All-America cornerback Marcus Williams outwrestled the receiver for the ball on the second. The defense also recorded a three-and-out and tackle for loss from nose guard Brian Schaetz.
Redshirt freshmen safeties Bo Liekhus came up with the hit and Andrew Smith scooped up a fumble in the second quarter to put the Green ahead 12-0.
Smith's fumble did lead to Gold's first score, a 31 yard field goal from Adam Keller. The offense struck again when Brock Jensen connected on an 8-yard scoring pass to Zach Vraa to cut the deficit to 17-10 at halftime.
The Gold could only manage a pair of field goals, a 27-yarder from Keller and Tom Barneson's 41-yard field goal in the second half.
Overall, the Green defense finished with six tackles for loss, a trio of three-and-outs, a pair of interceptions, two stop drives, a pair of sacks and the fumble recovery for the . Linebackers Esley Thorton and MJ Stumpf each finished with six tackles. The burly Schaetz was hard to handle in the middle with four tackles including two tackles for loss and a sack.
Sophomore quarterback Carson Wentz completed 8 of 17 passes for 81 yards and one interception. Jensen completed 4 of 11 passes for 77 yards one TD and an interception. Jensen rushed twice for 19 yards, and Wentz coverd 21 yards on six carries.
Redshirt freshman wide out Carey Woods made a pair of receptions for 57 yards including a 36-yard play. Eight different players caught a pass including D Gray's 29-yard catch.
Along with the efforts of Keller and Barneson, sophomore Ben LeCompte punted four times for an average of 39.8 yards including two inside the 20. The offense and defense combined for only four penalties.
North Dakota State opens the 2013 season on Aug. 30 at Kansas State, televised nationally on Fox Sports 1.
