Valparaiso will play its annual spring Brown and Gold football game Saturday morning at Brown Field beginning at 11 a.m.  This year’s format will feature the offense against the defense and admission is free.

The game is the culmination of 15 days of spring practice, which head coach Dale Carlson thinks has been very beneficial for the Crusaders.

“Our second spring practice has been very productive,” Carlson said.  “Our team has a much better understanding of how they are to play.  We have been able to expand on our offensive and defensive systems.”

The scoring for this year’s game has been set, and for the offense will play like a normal game for touchdowns, PATs, and field goals.  In addition, the offense can get points for three consecutive first downs, as well as for running plays of more than 10 yards or pass plays longer than 15 yards.

The defense still scores six points for a touchdown and two points for a safety, but can also tally points for a three-and-out, fourth down stops, and creating turnovers.  The defense will also be rewarded for sacks and sudden changes where the offense gets the ball inside of the 35 yard line but does not score or is held to a field goal.

“Our spring game will be for the right to wear the gold practice jerseys,” Carlson added.  “It will be an offense versus defense event with a modified scoring system.  Due to our lack of depth I anticipate running 50 to 60 total plays.”

Carlson currently has 59 players on the roster during the spring season.  The Crusaders will open the 2011 regular season on Saturday night, September 3, hosting Franklin at Brown Field.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“Our lack of depth has given each player an opportunity to get a lot of reps this spring,” Carlson said.  “We have a lot of video to use to evaluate where each individual player is.  They all have a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and this will be great information for each player as he works on his game over the summer.”