TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? Senior quarterback Reilly Murphy threw for one score and ran for another as the White offense defeated the Blue defense 35-34 in Indiana State's annual Blue-White Game to wrap up spring practice under sunny skies at Memorial Stadium this afternoon (April 21).

The Blue dominated much of the first half, thanks to a sack by senior linebacker Shonda Jackson on the first series of play.  Junior cornerback Ryan Patrick grabbed one of his two picks on the afternoon during the first quarter of play while senior Warren English-Malone also had a pick in the first quarter.

The White finally got on the board with 1:02 to play in the first half as Murphy was flushed out of the pocket to find senior tailback Bryan McCulley in the front corner of the end zone.  McCulley had to reach over his defender to make the grab while keeping one foot in bounds.  McCulley added a 25 yard run down the right sidelines on his first carry of the afternoon while junior tailback Pernell Williams had a 34 yard run on his first carry.  McCulley with 37 yards on the ground, all in the first half and Williams had 49, 41 in the first half.

The Blue led 30-16 at the half and continued to come up with stops, including a sack by red shirt freshman Brodie Morris on a third down play.  The White took over in the fourth quarter as Murphy started off the final stanza with a quarterback sneak.  Sophomore tailback Robert Barcliff finished the scoring with a three yard run up the middle with 5:02 left for the lead.  A first down run by Murphy sealed the deal.

Offensively, senior tailback Tony West, who was held to minus two yards in the first half, led the Sycamores in rushing with 58 yards on 12 carries.   A strong performance by red shirt freshman quarterback Charles Dowdell on the ground as he went for 27 yards on nine carries.  Dowdell was just 3-7 passing for 31 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.  Murphy was 6-20 for 56 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Defensively, the Sycamores came up with three sacks and 12 tackles for losses.

Indiana State opens up the 2007 campaign on Saturday September 1 when they visit the Indiana Hoosiers.  Kickoff is slated for 6pm.

STATS

Rushing

Tony West -- 12-58 yds; long 49

Pernell Williams -- 3-49 yds; long 34                                 

Bryan McCulley -- 4-37 yds; long 25                                  

Charles Dowdell -- 9-27 yds; long 8                                  

Robert Barcliff -- 7-17 yds; long 4                        

Reilly Murphy -- 9-13 yds; long 8                                      

Passing

Reilly Murphy  -- 6-20, 56 yds; 1 td; 3 int, long 19      

Charles Dowdell  -- 3-7, 31 yds; 0 td; 0 int, long 22                    

Receiving

Alex Thomas -- 3-32 yds, long 22                                      

Bryan McCulley  -- 1-19 yds; long 19                                

Tony West -- 1-15 yds, long 15                                       

Jawann Turner  -- 2-9 yds; long 12                                   

Robert Barcliff -- 1-6 yds; long 6                         

Charles Dowdell -- 1-6 yds; long 6                                 

Scoring

1:02     2^nd        Reilly Murphy to Bryan McCulley 22 yards.  Chad Gregory PAT

15:00   4^th        Reilly Murphy 1-yard run                                  Chad Gregory PAT

5:02     4^th        Robert Barcliff 3-yard run                                 Chad Gregory PAT