Purple defeats White in 2025 Tarleton State Football Spring Game

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - The skies were blue, but the gridiron bled Purple on Saturday in the 2025 Tarleton State Football Spring Game presented by Focused Care Partners at Memorial Stadium.

Purple, Tarleton State's offense, defeated White 56-46 in a high-scoring affair that wrapped up the Texans' spring football season.

The game served as an exhibition, but the competitiveness from the Purple and White appeared no different to the Texan fans in attendance. Veterans and newcomers used the Spring Game to put their talents on display as depth chart positions for the fall season are up for grabs.

"The spring is a time for everybody to show out because the coaches give opportunities to everybody," Tarleton State wide receiver said. "The coaches always say it's the best time to showcase our abilities and to not be afraid to go up, get the ball, and make yourself known."

Tarleton State utilized the same scoring system used in the previous two spring games. Offense scores a point when achieving a first down, crossing the 50-yard line, producing a 15-yard run, completing a 25-yard pass, and making PAT's. The other traditional scores are the same, with six points for a TD, three points for a field goal, two points for a two-point conversion.

There were 10 ways for the defense to score. A forced punt, tackle for loss, and pass breakup are each worth one point. A three-and-out forced punt, missed field goal, fourth down stop, sack and two-point conversion stop are each worth two points. Takeaways by interception or fumble recovery and blocked kicks are each worth four points.

Purple's offense got cooking through the air, with taking it to the house after an earlier reception. Kramer helped the passing game stay hot, finding the end zone to keep Purple out in front. New transfer Reginald Harden gave Texan Nation an early preview of what fans can expect from him in the fall, racing his way to a touchdown to keep his team ahead in the third quarter.

While Purple was putting up points, White refused to go down without a fight. Defensive back gave White a lift with an interception, with the defensive line following up with a pair of sacks for points on the board. Linebacker shined in the fourth quarter, coming down with an interception that helped White cut the deficit.

"We get 1% better every day," defensive back said. "We improved on a lot of things. I'm ready for the fall and I'm excited. We're going to have a good squad."

Purple weathered White's defensive storm by reaching the end zone one more time before the final horn. New transfer running back Tylan Hines scored the final touchdown for Purple, helping his offensive unit clinch the win in the closing minutes.

Despite the clock hitting all zeros, there was still some unfinished business from the Texans. In the postgame team huddle, head coach announced that Kramer and Postell would be placed on scholarship.

"I was telling some of my teammates that I thought I did something wrong the way Coach said my name. I wasn't expecting it," Postell said with a smile. "It's a surreal feeling and a blessing really. This is something I've worked for and grinded for. It feels good that it has finally paid off."

After playing in six games during the 2024 season, Kramer elevated his game during spring practice. He used the opportunity to show that he could fill the role of Tarleton State's graduating wide receiver class from a year ago.

When Whitten called Kramer up for the postgame huddle, the Aledo, Texas, native felt that the news was coming soon.

"I kind of had a feeling that's what it was when Coach called us up there," Kramer said. "With how we were playing this spring, how the ball was getting down the field and how my teammates lift me up every day, I had a feeling it was coming."

The Spring Game wrapped up spring practice for the Texans, who will focus on final exams before going into summer workouts. Fall camp for the Texans will begin in late July in preparation for their Week 0 game at Portland State.

With 133 days until the 2025 season kickoff, the Texans believe that the best has yet to come.

"I think we can go all the way," Postell said. "I think we have the right group of guys. Once we put it all together, we're going to be special."