Offense Tops Defense in TSU Blue and White Game, 36-24

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State football team held its annual Blue and White Game on Saturday at Hale Stadium in front of over 1,000 TSU supporters. The offense defeated the defense, 36-24, and led throughout the entire game.

Quarterback Mike German led the Blue Team, completing 11-of-14 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.

Three backs split the carries, but Tennessee transfer Tom Smith proved to be the most productive, totaling 67 yards on six touches.

Nick Thrasher anchored the defense with six tackles and fumble-recovery, while reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year Anthony Bass was just as destructive in the spring, recording a pair of sacks and blocking a field goal.

On the first drive of the game, German was a perfect 5-of-5 for 48 yards. Most of his passes went to tight end Joe Bowens who had three receptions for 37 yards.

Tevin Spells started the game at running back for TSU and capped off the opening series with a one-yard touchdown. Spells ran five times on the possession for 25 yards.

The fireworks during the opening minutes gave the Blue Team an early, 13-0, lead.

The defense responded after the early score, as Thrasher recovered a dropped snap to give the White Team three points before the end of the first quarter.

Smith regrouped the offense in a hurry to begin the second period, racing down the left sideline for a 40-yard gain. However, Bass recorded a sack and then blocked a field goal, making the score 14-10 in favor of the Blue squad.

A final three-and-out by the offense put the defense behind by just one, 14-13, heading into halftime.

Ryan Mitchell started the second half with a 16-yard run on a reverse, and later caught a 35-yard touchdown pass on a deep throw from German.

Mitchell finished the game with three catches for 77 yards and one score.

The second-string defense led by second-year lineman Rodney Edwards, Baron Poole and Roc-M Nesbitt forced a handful of stops for the remainder of the contest, but the Blue Team did find the end zone once more when receiver Lavatiae Kelly ran the ball in  from three-yards out.

The Blue and White Game signaled the end of Spring Practice for the Tigers, but the team will suit back up in the fall in preparation of the 2014 season.

Note: The Blue Team defeated the White Team in the Legends Game, 30-24, as James Wade threw a touchdown pass to Joe Stone in the corner of the end zone with just six seconds left.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION