April 22, 2006

DETROIT - Both defenses dominated in a scoreless first half, but the White squad was able to score two touchdowns in the second half for a 14-9 victory over the Green team in WSU's annual spring game held Saturday afternoon at Adams Field.

The spring game was played with eight minute quarters along with no kickoffs or punt returns.

In the first half, White had 13 plays for 25 yards, while Green accumulated nine yards on 12 plays.

On White's second possession of the second half, redshirt sophomore quarterback Mickey Berce (Dearborn, Mich.) connected with senior wide receiver Nick Body for an 18-yard scoring toss and junior placekicker David Chudzinski (Belleville, Mich.) made the extra point for a 7-0 advantage.

Green marched down the field on its ensuing possession and redshirt freshman placekicker Anthony Morasso (Detroit, Mich./Harper Woods Notre Dame) made a 28-yard field goal attempt cutting White's lead to 7-3. The big play on the drive was a 38-yard pass from senior quarterback Chad Blair (Roseville, Mich.) to classmate Jake Weingartz (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer East) on a third-and-10 on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The White squad responded on its first play from scrimmage following a false start penalty as Berce teamed up with Body for a 70-yard touchdown pass. Redshirt sophomore placekicker Musa Odeh (Dearborn, Mich./Fordson) made the extra point for a 14-3 lead.

Green drove into the red zone, but after a holding penalty negated a touchdown run by Blair, his pass on the next play was intercepted by Brandon Whitfield. A big play on the drive was a 56-yard run by redshirt freshman Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich.).

On Green's next possession, redshirt freshman quarterback Allen Garrant (Redford, Mich./Clarenceville) completed back-to-back passes to Chris Alsina (Beaumont, Calif.) for 19 yards and Weingartz for 11 yards putting the ball at the five yard line. On second and goal, Garrant found redshirt freshman Matt Verley (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills) in the end zone for a touchdown. The two point conversion failed and the final score was 14-9 in favor of Team White.

Team White Statistics:

Rushing - Nolan Martin 5-(-4) including sacks; Smith Julmisse 3-7; Team 2-(-7); Daryl Graham 8-13; Mickey Berce 4-22.

Passing - Nolan Martin 3-5 for 17 yards; Mickey Berce 2-2 for 88 yards and 2 TD's.

Receiving - Nick Body 4 for 99 yards and 2 TD's; Daryl Graham 1 for 6 yards.

Team Green Statistics:

Rushing - Joique Bell 10-73; Chad Blair 4-(-13) including sacks; Bruno Shkreli 2-1; Allen Garrant 2-5.

Passing - Chad Blair 6-16 for 58 yards; Allen Garrant 3-3 for 35 yards and 1 TD.

Receiving - Bruno Shkreli 2 for 4 yards; Joique Bell 2 for 13 yards; Luis Gomez 1 for 3 yards; Jake Weingartz 2 for 49 yards; Chris Alsina 1 for 19 yards; Matt Verley 1 for 5 yards and a TD.