The spring showers served as a reminder that the calendar shows April, but the Valparaiso University football team competing in a game environment made it feel like an autumn afternoon on Sunday at Brown Field.

The team used a modified scoring format for the annual spring scrimmage, which pitted the offense against the defense in a game where the defense started with a 24-0 lead as part of the format. After a 30-minute lightning delay, play was halted due to lightning in the area for a second time and the remainder of the game was called off at that juncture with the defense leading the offense 30-13.

There was no scoring in the first quarter of the game, then in the second quarter a 68-yard touchdown toss from Mason Kaplan (Peachtree Corners, Ga. / Norcross) to Barret Labus (Wadsworth, Ohio / Wadsworth) got the offense on the board. The PAT was blocked. The defense led 30-6 at halftime.

Kaplan found Brian Hunter (Kentwood, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian) for a 31-yard TD in the third quarter and Brian Bartholomew (Sugar Grove, Ill. / Kaneland) followed with the extra point to make it 30-13, which stood as the final score in the weather-shortened game. Despite an unfavorable weather forecast entering the day, the team got approximately 70 plays in on Saturday to round out its spring work.

One defensive highlight came in the second quarter courtesy of Max Kobs (Omaha, Neb. / Creighton Prep), who grabbed an interception. The defense also put together a goal-line stand with four straight stops in a goal-to-go situation.

The spring game was the team’s 15^th and final spring practice. The season will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Indiana Wesleyan at Brown Field. Click here for the postgame press conference.