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KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Kutztown University football team held its annual spring game on Saturday afternoon at University Field at Andre Reed Stadium in what turned out to be a high-scoring affair between the Maroon (Defense) and Gold (Offense), with the defense winning a close battle, 68-67.
 
The game featured a running clock and situational field position.  Scoring for touchdowns, field goals and extra points remained the same, however each unit was able to score points for other accomplishments.
 
The Gold team got out to a fast start with an 11-2 advantage after the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Brennan Scott (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township (Old Dominion)) connected with All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) wide receiver Kellen Williams (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) for a 35-yard touchdown in the middle of the quarter for the first points of the game.
 
Collin DiGalbo (Secane, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) started out the second quarter for the Gold team and pushed its lead to 24-4 on a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Hubley (Oxford, Pa./Oxford Area). Despite the fast start for the offense, the Maroon dominated for the majority of the second and all of the third quarter.
 
The Maroon went on a 16-0 run in the second quarter following the Hubley touchdown, highlighted by an Eric Condron (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) sack, four tackles-for-loss and two three-and-outs. The Gold led the Maroon, 24-20, in the middle of the second quarter and extended its lead to 34-22 on a 30-yard DiGalbo touchdown pass to Conor Sullivan (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall).
 
The defense responded with 11 of the next 13 points in the quarter, sparked by a forced fumble by Connor Maxwell (Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal), which cut the lead to 36-33. The Maroon ended the half with the final 19 points to take a 41-36 lead into halftime.
 
The Maroon team kept its foot on the gas pedal in the third quarter, outscoring the Gold team, 24-6. Defensive back Jake Perry (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) recorded two huge interceptions for the defense in the quarter, returning each one for over 35 yards. The Maroon had several tackles-for-loss in the period, giving it a 65-42 advantage heading into the final quarter.
 
The offense started two possessions from the Maroon 25-yardline and two from the Maroon 5-yardline in the fourth quarter and responded with three touchdowns and a field goal.
 
Alec Rosenfeld (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) connected on a 37-yard field goal early in the fourth to cut the Maroon's lead to 67-45. Running back James Wah Jr. (Whitehall, Pa./Whitehall) followed the field goal with a 10-yard rushing touchdown to get the Gold within striking distance at 67-52 with about five minutes remaining in the game.
 
The next two possessions started at the Maroon 5-yardline and the Gold responded with back-to-back touchdowns. DiGalbo connected with Troy Parton (Allentown, Pa./Salisbury) for a 5-yard touchdown pass and Craig Reynolds (Willow Grove, Pa./Abington) followed with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 67-65 in the closing moments of the game.
 
The Gold elected to go for two and Scott hit Kellen Williams (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) in the corner of the endzone to tie it up at 67-67.
 
In an interesting conclusion to the spring game, a player from each squad was selected to compete in a rock-paper-scissors battle in the middle of the field. The Maroon won two out of three to get the final point and win the game, 68-67.
 
Today's game concluded spring practice for the Golden Bears. At halftime, head coach Jim Clements presented the team awards for most improved players this spring. Skyler Panchari (Pottsville, Pa./Blue Mountain) was named the Most Improved Player on offense, and Perry was named Most Improved Player on defense.
 
The Golden Bears open their 2016 season on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 1 p.m. in a road game at Assumption College.