MANKATO, Minn. --- The Gold team defeated the Purple team in Minnesota State's annual spring game by the score of 16-0.

The game remained scoreless through the first quarter and was still 0-0 into the closing minutes of the second quarter. Martell Owens set up the Gold team with good field position as he recovered a fumble on the purple 34 yard line. The Gold team then used 10 plays, including a five-yard touchdown pass from Jack Rutz to Michael Loechler to put Gold up 7-0.

Gold received the ball to start the second half and drove 36 yards down field to set up Matthew Jaeger who connected on a 46-yard field goal to put Gold up 10-0.

Late in the third quarter, a blocked Purple punt by Zack MacIntire set up the Gold team on the purple 28. Six plays later, Gold reached the end zone again as Rutz capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Ferguson. The PAT attempt was no good as Gold led 16-0.

Purple had one more drive left but failed to convert on fourth down as Gold claimed the 16-0 win.

Gold Statistics

Rutz threw for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Six gold receivers caught at least one pass with Grant Guyett leading the team with five catches for 75 yards. Christian Vasser paced the Gold rushing attack as he rushed for 60 yards.

Lorenzo Jones led the Gold defense with five tackles, while Joey Goettl, Jacque Walls and Jack Schnoor each tallied three tackles. Schnoor and Shawn Brodie each recorded half a sack also, while Owens recovered one fumble.

On special teams, Guyett returned two kickoffs for 91 yards.

Purple Statistics

Hayden Ekern threw for 67 yards. Riley Marsh caught two passes for a total of 24 yards.

Tony Anger led the Purple rushing attack with 29 yards.

Brock Galetich led the Purple defense with six tackles. Tanner Olson notched five tackles also, while Tyee Leske and Colton Hoffman each recorded four tackles. Nathan Bolton recorded a sack as well.

Minnesota State opens its 2023 season on the road on Thursday, August 31, as it takes on Sioux Falls. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.