For the fifth year in a row, SDSU’s defensive unit showed off its winnings ways in the annual spring game, causing three interceptions and five sacks to beat the offense, 42-32, on a windy Saturday afternoon.

The Jackrabbits scored on their opening possession, driving 30 yards on a six play drive and SDSU set up first and goal when Cam Jones caught a 15-yard pass. SDSU couldn’t score on the first three downs and then converted when starting quarterback Austin Sumner launched a lob to the corner of the end zone where Jason Schneider hauled in the one-yard pass for the touchdown.

From there though, the defense carried the way with R.C. Kilgore intercepting a pass from Eric Kline off a deflection for the day’s first turnover, worth six points with the adjusted scoring in the spring game. David Godley stole a Sumner pass from the arms of receiver Aaron Rollin on the first half’s final play and junior college transfer Austin Scott-Knowlton intercepted third-string quarterback Tyler Finnes in the second half. The front seven also picked up four sacks in the second half to keep the offense off balance and Bo Helm led the squad with seven tackles.

“I thought the first half was better. I thought there was some sloppy play in the second half and just turnovers and bobbling the ball. There’s a tendency to fall off as the game goes along and I think that’s what happened today,” SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier said.

The offense picked up their second touchdown of the game when redshirt freshman Reggie Gandy lost the ball at the one yard line and offensive lineman Dylan Seiter recovered it in the end zone.

The special teams, hampered by the strong winds, was hit and miss throughout the day. Both Jason Syrovatka and Jay Carlson got cracks at a 23-yard field goals in the first half but missed. Syrovatka later made a 44-yard field goal but the kickoffs and punts were sporadic in length and accuracy.

Sumner finished the game completing 11-of-22 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Kline was 6-of-10 for 55 yards in the game. Gandy, appearing in his first spring game for the Jacks, led the rushing game with 15 carries for 61 yards and Zach Zenner had 10 carries for 49 yards.

“Credit to all of the defense, they came out and stepped up. We played hard and executed well and I think that it’s a good way to end the spring,” linebacker Chris Tracy said.