MACOMB -- An energetic spring camp came to an energy-laced ending on Friday night as the Western Illinois Defense topped the Offense 66-65 in the annual Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game.

The competition marked the end of a 15-practice spring camp for the Leathernecks under first-year head coach Joe Davis and his staff.

"Tonight was a positive night for us," Coach Davis said. "I think you saw the offense make a ton of big plays early then the defense buckled up and dug their heels in late. As a head coach, you love to see that on both ends.

"Overall, a very positive night for our program and I'm excited for our players."

Leatherneck quarterbacks Nathan Lamb and Chris Irvin each had big games for the offense. Lamb went 11-16 for 184 yards and three touchdowns getting the start. Irvin also performed well, going 10-17 for 218 and three touchdowns.

"I think overall things have gotten a lot better, obviously we need some more pieces and to keep working but overall, the receivers are looking good, the O-Line is looking good," said Lamb, who was named a co-captain along with Juan DelaCruz on Friday. "The team has a lot better energy in the locker room and out here on the field, so it's been good overall."

Big plays highlighted the night for the offense as Dallas Parker had three catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. Running back turned receiver Dylan Van added two catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Newcomers Demari Davis and Tristin Duncan each added touchdown receptions. Davis hauled in four passes for 38 yards and Duncan made three catches for 74 yards. Cameren Smith added three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown while leading the ground game with 12 carries for 64 yards.

After a slow start, the defense found its footing, rallying to capture the win on a walk-off sack by Marcus Morris. Randall Ward led the way, finishing with two sacks. Newcomer Thomas Brunner also had a strong debut, earning a tackle for loss and a sack.

Returners Terangie Eskridge and Bradyn Smith each forced and recovered fumbles. Willie Jones had a pair of pass breakups and a tackle for loss.

Kicker Christiaan Masucci went 5-6 on extra points and hit a pair of field goals, the first from 35 yards and the second a 45-yarder that put the offense up 65-54 at the half.

With spring ball over, Coach Davis and his staff focus on the future, getting the team ready for summer and fall camps, but also hitting the recruiting trail to add players to the roster. 

"I think the reality for this level of football is the transfer portal is very significant, our focus now shifts to that," Davis said. "We have areas on our team we need to address via the transfer portal and I think we can get better. I mentioned many times at Eastern I thought we attacked the transfer portal uniquely and it helped us quickly and I think we can do the same thing here at Western, so the next four to six weeks we'll be hosting a lot of young men and their families on our campus with the goal to improve our culture and the talent on our team."

Davis also knows the goal is to get better each day and build toward a bright fall in 2024.

"I think the community, the university, the supporters of the program have to have some patience, I think any coach that told you they're patient is probably a liar, we all want to make our roster great right away, we want to win a championship right away, we're going to prepare to win every single game this fall and I think that also sets a standard," he said. "I told the players tonight, the standard is to win a championship, there's nothing less, that's everything we're going to do through the offseason, recruiting, to practice, the goal is to win that OVC title. When that happens, I don't know, but we're going to be a more disciplined team and a more accountable team and that starts tonight."