White team secures spring game victory in defensive battle

Defense dominated as the white team secured a come-from-behind victory in what proved to be a low-scoring spring football game on Saturday in John L. Guidry Stadium.

Quarterback Chase Fourcade was at the helm of the red team’s offense, while quarterbacks Charles Brooks and Colby Kizzie both took snaps for the white team.

Solid run games led the way for both offenses, but it was ultimately defense that came up big.

The red squad provided the only points in the first quarter on a 23-yard field goal by kicker Alec Bland.

Red team linebacker Michael Mosely recovered a fumble by running back Kendall Bussey on the white 15-yard line, but the red team could not reach the end zone and had to settle for three points.

The final minutes of the first quarter saw a strong drive by the red squad, led by dynamic performances from running backs Julien Gums and Dontrell Taylor.

However, the drive was cut short at the start of the second quarter.

Subsequent plays saw Fourcade sacked by defensive lineman Sully Laiche and intercepted by defensive back Anfernee Poindexter.

The white squad was unable to capitalize off of the turnover, though, and had to punt after a three-and-out.

After back-to-back possessions from the red and white teams that both ended in punts, the red team put the game’s first touchdown on the board.

Running back Donnell Adair set the momentum for the red offense with a 25-yard run on the second play of the drive.

Fourcade ultimately connected with wide receiver David Robinson on a 13-yard touchdown pass– Robinson’s second catch of the drive.

Bland hit the extra point to bring the score to 10-0 with under a minute to go before halftime.

The beginning of the third quarter saw four subsequent possessions that ended in punts.

Led by Kizzie, the white squad then drove past the 50-yard line, where red team defensive lineman Danquan Edwards picked up a third-down stop.

The white team attempted a fourth down conversion, but defensive back Khristian Mims broke up Kizzie’s pass to give possession back to the red squad.

A stop by Laiche on a third-down run by Gums cut the red team’s drive short.

Bussey paved the way for the white team’s first points of the game on its next possession, picking up a fourth-down conversion.

Kizzie connected with wide receiver Stefano Guarisco on a 20-yard touchdown pass, which, with a successful extra point attempt from kicker Mason Roberts, cut the red team’s lead to 10-7.

After an unsuccessful series by the red squad, the white team secured the win in a last-minute fashion.

Bussey reached the end zone with under nine seconds to go.

The red team could not deliver on a scrambling attempt to score, and the white team walked away with 14 unanswered points and a 14-10 spring game victory.

The Colonels are set to begin their 2019 campaign against Kansas State on Aug. 31 in Manhattan, Kan.