WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Thomas Carper caught four passes for 137 yards and accounted for the only two touchdowns of the 24th Annual Maroon/Gold Spring Game to lead Gold to a 13-7 victory Saturday at the MSU Practice Field.
 
Carper broke free on a square-in to snag a 60-yard toss from Jake Glover in the minute of the first half to give Gold a 6-3 edge going into the break.
 
The Maroon had used the legs of All-America running back Keidrick Jackson to take the lead midway through the second quarter. The Arlington native accounted for rushes of 14 and 19 yards during a 14-play, 80-yard drive which resulted in a 33-yard field goal by Greg Saladino.
 
Harlon Hill finalist Brandon Kelsey led a quick 8-play, 60-yard drive to open the second half for the Maroon squad highlighted by a 30-yard sprint on a choice option run while redshirt freshman running back Roderick Woodard burst for consecutive runs of 15 and 8 yards to setup Maroon in the Red Zone.
 
But a holding call forced Maroon to settle for a 22-yard field by Brendan Grimley to tie the game at 6-6.
 
Former Rider High School standout Shavodrick Beaver led Gold's winning drive late in the fourth quarter. The transfer quarterback from Tulsa connected with Carper on a 38-yard hookup before the two connected on a double move for a 19-yard score three plays later to provide the difference in the game.
 
Gold running back Peter Smith paced all rushers with 91 yards on 18 carries, while Jackson led the Maroon team with 85 yards on 17 totes.
 
Glover connected on 10-of-18 passes for 116 yards and touchdown for Gold while Beaver finished 6-of-8 for 84 yards and a TD.
 
For Maroon, Kelsey connected on 3-of-15 passes for 28 yards while redshirt freshman Brett Wilhelm was 6-for-8 with 55 yards.
 
Jared Freeman caught six passes for 32 yards for Gold while Joe Sanders led the Maroon squad with seven receptions for 70 yards.
 
Defensively, Isaiah Long made six tackles including two for losses for the Maroon team while Gold was led by Davyon Henry's six-tackle effort.
 
Midwestern State opens its 2012 campaign against Tarleton State in Stephenville on Sep. 8.

Gold 13, Maroon 6

Score by Quarters	1	2	3	4	Total
Maroon	0	3	3	0	6
Gold	0	6	0	7	13

Scoring Summary

2nd - MAROON -- Greg Saladino 33 yard field goal
2nd - GOLD -- Thomas Carper 60 pass from Jake Glover (PAT failed)
3rd - MAROON -- Brendan Grimley 22 yard field goal
4th - GOLD -- Carper 19 pass from Shavodrick Beaver (Saladino kick)

Individual Statistics

Rushing -- (Maroon) Keidrick Jackson 17-85, Brandon Kelsey 8-40, Roderick Woodard 7-26, Brett Wilhelm 3 -(-29). (Gold) Peter Smith 18-91, Brandon Gordon 3-5, Shavodrick Beaver 3-(-7), Jake Glover 4-(-11).

Passing -- (Maroon) Brandon Kelsey 3-15-0, 28 yards; Brett Wilhelm 6-8-0, 55 yards. (Gold) Jake Glover 10-18-1, 116 yards; Shavodrick Beaver 6-8-0, 84 yards.

Receiving -- (Maroon) Joe Sanders 7-70, Terrence Smith 1-12, Roderick Woodard 1-1. (Gold) Jared Freeman 6-32, Brandon Gordon 5-25, Thomas Carper 4-137, Greg Allen 1-6.