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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Despite the White being team given 17 points in each half, the Orange team, consisting mostly of the first string, stormed back to defeat the White team, 44-41, Saturday in the 2015 Spring Game.

As should be the case, the first team squads had their way on both sides of the ball, with the Orange offense putting up 44 points and the Orange defense allowing just one score, a 71-yard pass play from Jeff George, Jr., to Marchie Murdock.

Starting quarterback Wes Lunt led the Orange team with 236 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-26 passing. Justin Hardee reeled in six catches for 124 yards and one touchdown, while Geronimo Allison had four receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns.

Backup quarterback Chase Crouch also had a big day, completing 11-of-24 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Crouch did throw one interception to senior CB Eaton Spence. The running game was paced by junior transfer Henry Enyenihi, who rushed 16 times for 87 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown scamper.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior DE Jihad Ward totaled nine tackles and two sacks, junior LB B.J. Bellow had six tackles and two TFLs, redshirt freshman LEO Henry McGrew had six tackles, three TFLs and two sacks, and redshirt freshman DT Tito Odenigbo added five tackles, three TFLs and one sack on the day.

Senior kick Taylor Zalewski hit three field goals on the day, including a 49-yarder as the first half clock expired to give the Orange a 27-17 halftime lead.

2015 SPRING AWARDS (Presented on the field after the Spring Game)
Bresee Most Improved Offensive Player: Austin Schmidt, OL
Bresee Most Improved Defensive Player: Clayton Fejedelem, DB
Offense Most Valuable Player: Josh Ferguson, RB
Defense Most Valuable Player: Jihad Ward, DL
Special Teams Most Valuable Player: Taylor Zalewski, PK
Unsung Award: Defense - Rob Bain, DT // Offense - Joe Spencer, OL
Faculty Award for Exemplary Leadership in Community, Classroom and on Field: Michael Martin, LS
Academic Excellence Award: Dennis Thurow, DB
Newcomer Award: Offense - Dre Brown, RB // Defense - Tito Odenigbo, DL