Cullowhee, N.C. - Tailback Darius Ramsey rushed for two touchdowns and wide receiver Tyran Reynolds hauled in the eventual game-winning score as the Purple squad earned the victory - and with it, claimed bragging rights - with a 21-14 defeat of the Gold team Saturday afternoon in the team's annual Spring Game, presented by Wells Fargo, at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

WCU's 15th and final practice of the 2015 spring drills was not completely decided, though, until the final play as the Gold squad heaved a Hail Mary pass towards the end zone where it was batted down to set-off a celebration by those clad in all purple.

"I thought it was a heck of a game that came down right to the very end," said Catamount head football coach Mark Speir, who is off to New England run in Monday's (April 20) Boston Marathon. "We kept our starters polished, and they got better. But we got to develop a lot of second-tier players. We stayed healthy and that's a tribute to Coach (Evan) Barr and his staff and these players and the work and effort they put in. Now, we've got to follow it with a big summer leading into preseason."

"It was a great day, a great crowd - thanks to all the Catamount faithful who came out; man, it's great to be in Cullowhee," Speir added.

Ramsey rushed 22 times for a game-high 114 yards, plunging in from two and three yards out for his two touchdowns on the ground to pace the Purple squad. Converted running back London Richardson rushed six times for 10 yards.

Purple quarterback Troy Mitchell completed 12-of-22 passes for 154 yards and a TD. Though not live and tackled by one-hand tag, Mitchell also rushed 10 times for 36 yards. His favorite target on the day was Steffon Hill who caught four passes for 80 yards. Reynolds made two receptions for 41 yards including the 25-yard TD. Karnorris Benson and tight end Tyler Sexton matched with two catches apiece.

For the Gold squad, quarterback Wes Holcombe connected on 14-of-29 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown to Spearman Robinson, who hauled in four passes for 91 yards with a long 50-yard reception. Wide receiver Terryon Robinson caught a team-high eight passes for 40 yards, adding two rushes for 30 yards. Gary Richardson and Jordan Mathis both made three receptions.

Tailback Detrez Newsome rushed 11 times for 33yards with a catch for 14 out of the backfield, while Corey Holloway carried the ball nine times for 26 yards including a seven-yard TD rush.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Catamount Purple squad capped a 13-play drive that started at the 5:21 mark of the opening stanza to break the scoreless deadlock just two plays in to the second quarter. Ramsey found room up the middle, falling across the plane of the end zone for the lead as Tim Gawert connected on the extra point for a 7-0 margin.

The Gold squad responded with a seven-play scoring drive as Corey Holloway knotted the game with a punishing touchdown rush with Blake Metcalf providing the extra point to make it 7-7.

Two drives later, the Purple squad came up with the game's first turnover. QB Craig Twele's pass was under thrown and intercepted by Tra Hardy near midfield. However, the Purple squad was held in check as the Gold defense stiffened to force a three-and-out on the ensuing possession.

Saturday's scrimmage would remain tied at halftime as the Gold squad failed to convert a 34-yard field goal attempt just before the short intermission, missing the kick wide right.

Momentum remained with the Gold squad to open the second half as linebacker Tommy Tate forced and recovered a fumble in one motion as he stripped Karnorris Benson after a reception over the middle, returning it into the red zone for his offense. But like the Gold squad did just before the end of the half, the Purple defense rose to the challenge and prevented a score despite the quick-change of possession and advantageous field position. Fred Mooring of the Purple squad blocked a field goal attempt to keep the game tied at seven headed into the fourth quarter.

Just nine plays into the final frame, Holcombe guided the Gold team to its second-unanswered score and a seven-point, 14-7 lead. Holcombe hooked-up with receiver Gary Richardson on a third-and-long with an 11-yard reception to keep the drive alive. Consecutive runs by Newsome moved the Gold into scoring position where Spearman Robinson hauled in a TD in the back of the end zone amidst solid coverage from the Purple defensive secondary.

Ramsey again found pay-dirt at the end of a seven-play scoring dive to tie the game at 14. The drive was spurred by Mitchell connecting with Steffon Hill for a 48-yard pitch-and-catch on a seam-route that found the hole in the zone defense.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Purple squad tallied what proved to be the game-winning score as Mitchell found a wide-open Reynolds into the right corner of the end zone for the TD.

Looking to drive for the equalizing score in the waning moments of regulation, Holcombe moved the Gold squad from inside its own 20-yard line across midfield on a pair of passes coming on fourth down. Holcombe found Mathis on a 14-yard strike on a 4th-and-11 before connecting with Richardson on a 20-yard play to keep the drive alive.

On the next to last play of the scrimmage, Holcombe rolled to his left before throwing back across his body to the right looking for Spearman Robinson. However, A.J. Newman was able to force the incompletion with just one second remaining on the clock. Holcombe again loaded up for a jump ball pass to the left side of the end zone, but Keion Crossen was there to spoil the would-be score, ending the game.

Linebacker Tyson Dickson led the Purple squad with nine total tackles including a combined three tackles for loss. Tahjai Watt, a converted defensive end playing linebacker this year, had six stops including a pair of sacks, while Newman finished with six stops and a pass break-up. Defensive backs Crossen, Fred Payne and Damian Whitaker, as well as defensive lineman Caleb Hawkins each had four tackles - Hawkins credited with a sack.

Hardy had the lone interception of the day for the Purple squad.

Marvin Tillman led the Gold squad with nine tackles including a TFL while senior Sertonuse Harris had eight tackles and a PBU. Tate tallied the only turnover of the day on the fumble. Kendall White had five stops with defensive end John McBeth finishing with five to lead all linemen, just ahead of Avery Worsham with four including a sack.

In addition to his fumble force and recovery, Tate had four tackles on the day.

All told, the Purple squad had 11 tackles for loss including six sacks while the Gold unit recorded seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage with three sacks.