Courtesy of St. Cloud State Athletics
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The St. Cloud State football team kicked off the 2010 football season with their annual Spring game Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium with the defensive side edging the offense 30-22.
Illinois State sophomore transfer Mark Martin (Milwaukee, Wis.) led the defense with four tackles and two pass break ups from his linebacker position, while junior Tyler Niedfeldt (Plymouth, Wis.) had three tackles.
Redshirt freshman Chris Rupe (Batavia, Iowa) recorded two quarterback sacks and blocked a punt in the game.
Offensively, freshman quarterback Phillip Klaphake (Princeton) had a solid day behind center, completing 18-of-25 passes for 153 yards, including a eight-yard touchdown pass to senior captain Fred Williams (Milwaukee, Wis.). Klaphake also rushed for a 10-yard touchdown in the game.
Williams finished with five catches for 45 yards in the game, including two of the team’s nine first downs. Junior Dante Steward led the ground attack with six rushes for 14 yards.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Aldridge (Woodbury) kicked a 35-yard field goal to cap the opening drive and made a kick from 33 yards out before ending the game with a 42-yard kick through the uprights.
The Husky coaching staff announced the spring award winners for the 2009-10 season during the spring game.
Senior defensive lineman Joe Winandy (Mazomanie, Wis.) is the recipient of the Ed Johnson Commitment to Excellence Award. The award is given to a loyal football athlete who has made a tremendous commitment to the team. Johnson was a four year Husky football player, a team captain, and assistant coach in the program. He is a member of the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame and has served on the SCSU Alumni Association Board and Husky Booster board.
Junior linebacker Chris Key (Libertyville, Ill.) earned the Nick Peterson Lifter of the Year Award. This award is named after Nick Peterson, a four-year winner of the award
The Gridiron Club Pride award was given to junior offensive lineman Ben Larson (Eagan). The award honors an athlete who instills pride – Professional Results In Daily Efforts - on and off the field.
The 2010 team captains were also announced today. Senior wide receiver Fred Williams (Milwaukee, Wis.) and junior defensive lineman Josh Popanda (Twin Lakes, Wis.) will represent the Huskies next fall.
Over 80 young people enjoyed the Youth Clinic put on by the Husky coaching staff and players prior to the spring game. Participating boys and girls were given t-shirts and autograph posters of the Husky Football Team.