WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- The Maroon squad rode the arm of Zachary Bohannon to a 28-14 win over Gold in the 33rd Annual Maroon & Gold Spring Game Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Bohannon completed 12-of-19 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns including four of the deep variety as Maroon extended its winning streak to three games while taking a 10-6 lead in the series dating back to 2006.

Bohannon hit freshman Tyreon Key in stride to convert a third-and-33 into a 78-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, then used the connection for another third down conversion for a 69-yard hook-up right before halftime to give Maroon a 21-7 advantage.

Gold opened the game on a 15-play, 65-yard drive taking the early lead on an 8-yard run by reigning Lone Star Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year Devin Cross.

The Gold defense rose to the occasion stopping Maroon on a goal line stand to take early control of the game.

But Maroon linebacker Jordan Vance intercepted Carson Roper early in the second quarter just after Bohannon's first long scoring connection with key. Vance returned the pick 44 yards to set Maroon up at the Gold 9-yard line.

Bohannon hit Kelby Hickerson on an out-route on 4th-and-goal from the 1 to give Maroon its first lead of the game at 14-7 before ending the quarter on another long strike to Key.

Bohannon remained hot to start the third quarter hitting Justin White for a 61-yard TD to push the Maroon advantage to 28-7.

Roper answered with a 50-yard strike to Ja'Juan Mason to pull Gold to within two touchdowns at 28-14 midway through the third quarter. It would be the last score of the game.

Key led all receivers with four reception for 147 yards and two touchdowns, while Cross ran for 65 combined yards on 14 carries to lead all rushers.
Gage Jaehne added 52 yards on 12 totes.

Freshman lineman Michael Gee was the defensive star of the game finishing with eight tackles including four stops for loss with two quarterback sacks for the Maroon side.

Sophomore Kevon Blackwood made six tackles for the Gold defense.

Midwestern State opens the 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Colorado State-Pueblo.