Offense tops defense in North Dakota State spring game

Fargo, ND (SportsNetwork.com) – Carson Wentz’s 59-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Illies on the game’s final play lifted the North Dakota State offense to a 29-22 victory over the defense in the Green and Gold spring game Saturday before 4,542 at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

The touchdown occurred on 4th-and-2.

Wentz, who is expected to become the starting quarterback for the three-time reigning FCS champion Bison, completed 11-of-20 pass attempts for 165 yards. Darius Anderson rushed for 89 yards on 14 carries.

The NDSU defense earned three points for Chris Board’s 24-yard interception return on a deflected Wentz pass, four points on plays for lost yardage and six points for three sacks. The green team also scored two points for a three- and-out on the game’s opening drive, and one point for each of seven other drives ended.

Linebackers Pierre Gee-Tucker and Kurt Mattox led all tacklers with six stops apiece.

Before the game, members of last year’s 15-0 team received their NCAA championship rings.

Categorized in: NCAA Football