Tory Adams took on the role of a rushing workhorse Friday night and the redshirt freshman running back certainly was up to the task.

Adams ran 13 times for 100 yards -- both game highs -- and scored the go-ahead touchdown while helping lead the Whites to a 17-7 victory in the University of Minneosota Duluth's Maroon-White Game at James S. Malosky Stadium. The event marked the end of spring practice drills for the seven-time defending Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division champion Bulldogs.

"It was a little rough at first with it being my first time running against a full defense with full contact," said Adams, a native of Hutchinson, Minn. "But I had a great time and it was fun to get out here tonight."

The two clubs did all of their scoring in the opening half. Sophomore quarterback Nate Ricci, who was used at wide receiver last fall, gave the Whites a 7-0 lead with a 66-yard touchdown run 4:13 into the first quarter, but the Maroons answered on their next possession when second-year freshman running back Jamiah Newell bolted 18 yards into the end zone. Twelve seconds later and with 1:28 to to in the first half, Adams went 75 yards for another score to put the Whites ahead for good at 14-7 before junior placekicker Tyler McLaughlin capped off the scoring with a 17-yard field with 56 seconds remaining before the halftime break.

Ricci connected on 11 of 12 passes for 111 yards for the Whites, who outrushed (180 yards to 45) and outgained (291-152) their counterparts by substantial margins. White junior Beau Bofferding paced both clubs with four pass receptions while Adams had a pair (for 40 yards). Senior defensive lineman Pierre Avesca, who joined the UMD program this winter after playing most recently at Fond du Lac Tribal Community College, topped both teams defensively with five total tackles.

w