In a game in which passing dominated the offense for both teams, the White squad punched up two touchdowns and a field goal in the first half and made them stand up in a 17-6 victory over the Maroons in the Missouri State Spring Football Game Saturday afternoon at Plaster Field. The game capped the Bears’ spring practices as they prepare for their 2007 season.

    The game constituted the final practice of the 15-drill Missouri State spring session and was played in 12-minute quarters with a running clock for the second half. Second-year head coach Terry Allen and his staff divided the 73-player Bears’ roster evenly for the competition and there were no kickoffs or punt returns in the contest.

    White team quarterbacks Matt Krapfl and Jared Emery combined for 17 of 23 passing for 251 yards and no interceptions in the contest. Krapfl hit 14 of 19 throws and Emery nailed three of his only four but Emery’s 51-yard pass to WR Jordan Eversley set up a 22-yard scoring pass from Emery to WR Tamarkus McElvane one minute into the second quarter.

    The White team got its first score with five minutes left in the first quarter as TB Jonathan Davis scored on a four-yard run. K Nathan Stokes added a 36-yard field goal for the White squad with 5:16 left in the period to give his team a 17-0 advantage at halftime. The lone Maroon score came with 3:40 left in the fourth period as TB Miguel Warren’s five-yard TD run capped a drive in which QB Tyler Horner hit six straight passes to get the Maroons into scoring position.

    Horner was also effective on the day as he hit 18 of 29 passes for 144 yards, also with no interceptions. WR Eric Davis had six receptions to lead the Maroons while WR Chris Geisz caught five passes and WR Stanley Gates grabbed three. TE Clay Harbor led the White team receiving with six receptions. The two teams combined for 58 yards rushing with Jonathan Davis for the Whites and Gerald Davis for the Maroons gaining 30 yards each on the ground.

    The conclusion of spring drills prepares Missouri State for the start of preseason camp in August. The Bears open their 2007 campaign at Plaster Field Aug. 30 when they play host to the University of Missouri-Rolla.