Mankato, Minn. ---  The Minnesota State football team hosted its annual spring game Saturday in front of a crowd of more than 200 people in Blakeslee Stadium on the campus of Minnesota State University. 

The game – which pitted the offense and against the defense – saw the defensive unit earn a 60-42 victory.  Junior defensive back Jesse Hamilton paced the defense with eight tackles and also returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown.  The interception was a 12-point swing for the defense as it earned six points for the turnover and six points for the touchdown.

“I was very pleased with our player’s effort and physical play,” said head coach Todd Hoffner.  “We looked like a team, acted like a team and played in a classy manner.”

Senior defensive back Troy Jones also had an interception, while redshirt freshmen Johnnie Watkins and Drew Schaeepi each recovered fumbles.  Jones also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.  Redshirt freshman Phil Butler also recorded a blocked punt.

Offensively, sophomore Jake Aberg finished with six carries for a team-high 61 yards.  Aberg busted runs of 25 and 24 yards during the game.  Redshirt freshman Vince Workman carried the ball 17 times for 58 yards.  Sophomore Chris Echols rushed seven times for 29 yards and had the only rushing touchdown.

Sophomore wideout Caleb Rissman caught three passes for 31 yards while fellow sophomore Adam Thielen had four catches for 29 yards and a score.  Senior tight end Cameron Sprecher caught a two-yard touchdown pass – his only reception on the day.

Senior quarterback Steve Pachan completed 9-of-21 passes for 83 yards, including two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.  Sophomore Will Brogan completed 6-of-13 passes for 27 yard while redshirt freshman Ray Teachout was 1-of-2 for three yards and had two fumbles.

Sophomore kicker Sam Brockshus connected on 3-of-4 extra point opportunities and also hit 2-of-3 field goals, including kicks of 48 and 30 yards.  Rissman returned five kicks for 79 yards.  Senior punter Gerard DeWet punted six times for  247 yards, an average of 41.2 yards per punt.  DeWet had two punts over 50 yards, including one that travelled 54 yards.

Minnesota State opens the 2010 season Thursday, Sept. 2, when it hosts Northern Michigan at 6 p.m.