VERMILLION, S.D. -- The South Dakota Red Team (first team) took a 24-7 win over the White Team (second team) at the annual spring game at the DakotaDome on Saturday afternoon. The game concluded the spring season for the USD football squad. Prior to the game, USD introduced their 2003 team captains, which included wide receiver Chris Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.); offensive tackle Tom Moore (Centerville, S.D.); defensive lineman Aaron Dietrich (Emmetsburg, Iowa); and linebacker Josh Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.).

The Red Team opened up a 24-0 lead before the White team scored late in the game.

The Red Team struck first when Cody Butler (Hastings, Neb.) connected on a 47-yard field goal at 1:39 of the first quarter. His kick culminated a nine play, 31-yard drive. On his first play at quarterback, Mikkelsen tossed a 15-yard touchdown to Foster Brodus (Newport News, Va.) at the 10 minute-mark of the second quarter. With Butler's extra point conversion, the Red Team had a 10-0 lead. The scoring drive was set up by Dwight Anderson's (Queens, N.Y.) interception and 37-yard return.

Just before the end of the first half, starting quarterback Sean McLaughlin (Omaha, Neb.) connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Chris Meehan (Hartford, S.D.), who twisted between two defenders to make a spectacular catch in the end zone. With Butler's conversion, the Red Team had a 17-0 halftime lead. On the scoring drive, the Red Team moved the ball 72 yards in 11 plays.

At the 10 minute mark of the second half, redshirt freshman running back Travis Mlady (Bloomfield, Neb.) scored on a seven-yard run to cap a 10-play, 64-yard drive and give the Red Team a 24-0 lead.

The White team scored at the 2:53 mark of the second half when sophomore quarterback Wesley Beschorner (Lohrville, Iowa) rolled to his right and connected on a five-yard scoring pass play with tight end Nathan Clark (Tracy, Minn.). David Manke's (Sioux Falls, S.D.) extra point cut the lead to 24-7.

The Red Team rolled up 254 yards in total offense, including 171 yards passing and 83 yards rushing. The White Team had 126 yards in total offense, totaling 82 yards rushing and 44 yards through the air.

McLaughlin had a solid game by completing 13-of-23 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Brodus had a big day with seven receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Meehan added three receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Vince Udo (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.) had nine carries for 41 yards while Mlady had seven rushes for 23 yards and a touchdown.

For the White squad, Beschorner completed 6-of-12 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. Beschorner also rushed nine times for 25 yards. Telema Bobmanuel (Minneapolis, Minn.) added six rushes for 29 yards. Ryan Molencamp (Clear Lake, Iowa) had 11 yards rushing and two catches for 22 yards while Jeff Buckley (Sioux Falls, S.D.) had three receptions for 17 yards.

On defense, Red Team linebacker Josh Gassen had six tackles while defensive lineman Andrew Schable recorded three quarterback sacks, including two on the first defensive series. The White team was led by Jared Adamson and Travis Stevens, who each recorded eight tackles.

"It was a good workout," head coach John Austin said following the game. "We played hard and had just a couple of turnovers. Overall, we played the type of game that I wanted. It was a good finish to spring ball," added Austin.

STATISTICS Red Team Rushing: Rob Cupich, 5-19; Travis Mlady, 7-23 (td); Vince Udo, 9-41 Passing: Sean McLaughlin, 13-23, 147 yards, td; Chris Mikkelsen, 2-5-24 yards, 1 int., 1 td. Receiving: Foster Brodus, 7-74 (td); Chris Meehan, 3-55 (td); Mikkelsen, 2-18; Rob Cupich, 1-8; Aaron Meline, 1-9; and Nick Cunningham, 1-7 Interceptions: Dwight Anderson, 1-37

White Team Rushing: Clayton Bryan, 4-12; Wesley Beschorner, 9-25; Tyler Evans, 4-5; Telema Bobmanuel, 6-29; Ryan Molencamp, 5-11. Passing: Beschorner, 6-12-1 int., 1 td Receiving: Jeff Buckley, 3-17; Molencamp, 2-22; and Nathan Clark, 1-5 (td). Interceptions: Tim Dacy, 1-22

SCORING SUMMARY Red Team - 47-yard field goal by Cody Butler, 1st, 3-0 Red Team - 15-yard pass from Chris Mikkelsen to Foster Brodus, 2nd, 10-0 Red Team - 32-yard pass from Sean McLaughlin to Chris Meehan, 2nd, 17-0 Red Team - 7-yard run by Travis Mlady, 3rd, 24-0 White Team - 5-yard pass from Wesley Beschorner to Nathan Clark, 4th, 24-7

Notes: The game included two 12 minute quarters and a 20-minute half (continous clock in the second half). Tyson Goehring (Delmont, S.D.) had a 37 yard kickoff return. USD opens the 2003 at home against Concordia-St. Paul on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. in the DakotaDome. Aaron Meline (Urbandale, Iowa) had three returns for 58 yards. Luke Mikkelsen (Gregory, S.D.) had three punts for 132 yards or 44 yards per kick.