Team Black downs Team Gold 28-23 in Spring game

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) – Austin Appleby connected on a 59-yard touchdown pass with Trae Hart and D.J. Knox scored a pair of touchdowns as Team Black knocked off Team Gold 28-23 in Purdue’s annual spring game on Saturday.

Team Gold raced out to a 17-14 halftime lead on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive on its opening possession and 11-yard scoring strike from David Blough to Miles Norwood. Team Gold added a late touchdown on a Blough to DeAngelo Yancey 21-yard pass in the fourth, but a running game clock in the quarter thwarted and chance of a comeback.

Offensively, Appleby finished 10 of 18 for 147 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Blough was 16 of 22 for 173 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Danny Etling, who played for both squads, went a combined 11 of 16 for 148 yards and one interception.

Green led the way on the ground with 63 yards on 14 carries with one touchdown for Team Gold. Knox rushed for 41 yards on 13 carries with the pair of touchdowns and added one reception for 30 yards. David Yancey added an 8-yard scoring rush on his only carry.

DeAngelo Yancey and Bilal Marshall each had five receptions to lead the wide receivers. Yancey finished with 58 yards and a score, while Marshall led all players with 81 yards.

Defensively, Antoine Miles and Andy James Garcia led the way with eight tackles apiece. Garcia, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Antonio Blackmon all picked off passes. Jake Replogle, Jimmy Herman, Ra’Zahn Howard, Evan Panfil and Keiwan Jones all tallied sacks.

The game also saw the unveiling of Purdue’s new alternate white helmet, the recognition of the Den of Defensive Ends and 2015 Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame class and the halftime announcement by men’s basketball center A.J. Hammons that he was returning to school for his final year of eligibility.