DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University football team's offense edged out the defense, 50-45, in the Bulldogs' annual spring game on Saturday afternoon at Drake Stadium.
 
"Overall it was a very good spring with some really close competition here in the spring game. I thought both sides played well and competed hard," Drake head coach Rick Fox said. "It went back and forth all the way through and having these situations was really good for our guys."
 
The team was split into offensive and defensive squads in which the defense earned points for touchdowns, turnovers, stops and safeties. Meanwhile the offense could score via traditional means and was awarded a point for each first down and play of 20 or more yards. The contest consisted of four five-minute quarters with a hurry-up situation added on to the first three quarters.
 
The offense came out clicking right out of the gates with a four-play scoring drive, capped off by a touchdown run from senior Conley Wilkins. Fifth-year senior Cody Thibault began the drive with a 17-yard pass to classmate Eric Saubert. Thibault then found a seam on an option play, scampering down inside of the five-yard line to setup Wilkins' touchdown.
 
The defense responded with three-straight three-and-outs to tie it up at 10.
 
Thibault put the offense back on top with a 26-yard touchdown pass to senior Grant Menard, 21-10 to end the first five minutes of play.
 
The defense took full advantage of the first hurry-up situation as junior Connor Willis returned an interception for a touchdown, giving the defense a 22-21 advantage.
 
The defense used the momentum from Willis' interception to control the second quarter and took a 32-27 lead at halftime.
 
The defense came up with its second and final turnover of the game in the opening series of the second half when junior Tyler Terveer forced a fumble and sophomore Zac Rujawitz jumped on the loose ball, extending the defense's lead to 38-30.
 
Two series later, Thibault put the offense back on top with a 12-yard touchdown run, 42-40.
 
The defense kept the offense out of the endzone in the fourth quarter, but the offense kept moving the chains in the final five minutes to hold on to its lead for a final score of 50-45.
 
The spring game marks the completion of the Bulldogs' spring practices. the squad will resume offseason workouts for the remainder of the semester before rejoining with the start of preseason practice in August. The team opens its 2016 schedule on Sept. 3 against Quincy at Drake Stadium.