Spring game recap from Minnesota Athletics:
The University of Minnesota football team played its annual spring game Saturday afternoon at the team's indoor football facility at Athletes Village with the Maroon team prevailing in overtime over Gold, 19-16, to win the coveted Goldy's Cup.
The Maroon Team was led by guest coaches Rashod Bateman and Kamal Martin, while Gold saw Carter Coughlin and Antoine Winfield, Jr., at the helm. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca also coached Maroon, while defensive coordinator Joe Rossi paced the sideline for the Maroon. Head Coach P.J. Fleck oversaw the action as a neutral party from the field.
Redshirt junior Larry Wright got the scoring started in the first quarter for Gold when he hauled in a 27-yard pass from redshirt freshman Athan Kaliakmanis. A 36-yard field goal from 5th-year senior Matthew Trickett pushed the lead to 10-0 after one quarter of play.
Maroon responded in the second quarter, however. Redshirt sophomore Kendall Moore caught a 7-yard scoring pass from redshirt junior Cole Kramer, bringing the score within 10-7. The game went to halftime even at 10-10 thanks to a 40-yard field goal from junior Dragan Kesich.
A scoreless second half brought the game to overtime and both kickers again came through on the lone offensive possessions. Kesich made a 44-yard field goal, while Trickett answered with a 35-yarder.
Knotted at 13-13 following overtime, the game was decided on sudden-death field goals. Both Trickett and Kesich made 52-yard attempts in the first round. In round two, Kesich's try was wide left, while Trickett followed with a make to give Maroon the 19-16 win.
Sixth-year quarterback Tanner Morgan played the opening series for Maroon, completing 1-of-4 passes for 12 yards. Kramer took over afterward for Morgan, finishing 9-of-19 for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kaliakmanis had similar numbers for Gold, going 10-of-22 for 143 yards with a score and a pick.
Redshirt junior Michael Brown-Stephens was the game's top receiver, hauling in a game-high four passes for 50 yards to earn Sid Hartman Game MVP Honors for offense. Wright led the way with his 55 receiving yards, which came on three receptions.
Freshman running back Zach Evans tallied 11 carries for 51 yards for Gold, while redshirt freshman Jordan Nubin paced Maroon with 44 yards on 15 carries.
Defensively, redshirt junior Derik LeCaptain and redshirt sophomore Miles Fleming each had an interception, with Fleming taking home Sid Hartman Game MVP Honors for defense as he added three tackles.
Redshirt freshman Austin Booker recorded a game-high eight tackles, including a pair of sacks, and redshirt junior transfer Beanie Bishop produced two pass breakups to go with his three tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
The University of Minnesota football team played its annual spring game Saturday afternoon at the team's indoor football facility at Athletes Village with the Maroon team prevailing in overtime over Gold, 19-16, to win the coveted Goldy's Cup.
The Maroon Team was led by guest coaches Rashod Bateman and Kamal Martin, while Gold saw Carter Coughlin and Antoine Winfield, Jr., at the helm. Offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca also coached Maroon, while defensive coordinator Joe Rossi paced the sideline for the Maroon. Head Coach P.J. Fleck oversaw the action as a neutral party from the field.
Redshirt junior Larry Wright got the scoring started in the first quarter for Gold when he hauled in a 27-yard pass from redshirt freshman Athan Kaliakmanis. A 36-yard field goal from 5th-year senior Matthew Trickett pushed the lead to 10-0 after one quarter of play.
Maroon responded in the second quarter, however. Redshirt sophomore Kendall Moore caught a 7-yard scoring pass from redshirt junior Cole Kramer, bringing the score within 10-7. The game went to halftime even at 10-10 thanks to a 40-yard field goal from junior Dragan Kesich.
A scoreless second half brought the game to overtime and both kickers again came through on the lone offensive possessions. Kesich made a 44-yard field goal, while Trickett answered with a 35-yarder.
Knotted at 13-13 following overtime, the game was decided on sudden-death field goals. Both Trickett and Kesich made 52-yard attempts in the first round. In round two, Kesich's try was wide left, while Trickett followed with a make to give Maroon the 19-16 win.
Sixth-year quarterback Tanner Morgan played the opening series for Maroon, completing 1-of-4 passes for 12 yards. Kramer took over afterward for Morgan, finishing 9-of-19 for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Kaliakmanis had similar numbers for Gold, going 10-of-22 for 143 yards with a score and a pick.
Redshirt junior Michael Brown-Stephens was the game's top receiver, hauling in a game-high four passes for 50 yards to earn Sid Hartman Game MVP Honors for offense. Wright led the way with his 55 receiving yards, which came on three receptions.
Freshman running back Zach Evans tallied 11 carries for 51 yards for Gold, while redshirt freshman Jordan Nubin paced Maroon with 44 yards on 15 carries.
Defensively, redshirt junior Derik LeCaptain and redshirt sophomore Miles Fleming each had an interception, with Fleming taking home Sid Hartman Game MVP Honors for defense as he added three tackles.
Redshirt freshman Austin Booker recorded a game-high eight tackles, including a pair of sacks, and redshirt junior transfer Beanie Bishop produced two pass breakups to go with his three tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
