April 2, 2005

SAN MARCOS - Texas State quarterbacks on the Gold squad, including returning starter Barrick Nealy and a pair of freshmen, completed 18-of-26 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns Saturday in a 21-7 win as the Bobcats wrapped up spring drills in front of 2,433 at the annual Maroon and Gold Classic.

The Gold scored two touchdowns late in the first half to take a 21-7 lead at the break and made it stick for the win.

Nealy completed 9-of-13 passes for 118 yards including a 23-yard touchdown strike to Justin Williams to give the Gold a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Maroon would answer with a 12-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Chase Wasson to K.R. Carpenter, tying the game at 7-7.

Red-shirt freshman quarterback Jacob Powell would engineer what proved to be the game-winning drive in the final minutes of the first half. Powell completed three straight passes, culminating with a 64-yarder for the go-ahead score when he hooked up with defensive back Derwin Straughter who moved out to wide receiver for the play with 2:26 left in the half. The series started with a 15-yard completion to Randy Mosier then a 12-yard pass to Williams.

Moshier had five receptions for 82 yards from his tight end position. Tyrone Scott had three receptions for 80 yards while Williams caught three passes for 53 yards. For the Maroon, Carpenter caught five passes for 61 yards.

Leaders from the community coached the Gold team in the first half while the Maroon squad was coached by campus leaders. The Maroon staff elected to go for it on fourth-and-long from the team's own 31 in an effort to tie the score prior to the Texas State coaching staff taking over in the second half.

Wasson would throw an incomplete pass on fourth down and the Gold took over with 1:39 to play.

Leading by a touchdown, Morris Brothers completed a 19-yard halfback pass across the field to freshman quarterback Bradley George then ran for seven yards to set up a five-yard touchdown run by red-shirt freshman running back Stan Zwinggi that gave the Gold a 21-7 lead.

George was 3-for-7 for 40 yards for the Gold while Wasson completed 8-of-21 passes for 87 yards for the Maroon.

While the Gold team featured a strong passing game, the Maroon's Nick Session led all rushers with 10 carries from 59 yards. The senior was moved from linebacker to fullback during the off season

Red-shirt freshman defensive back Josh Edmond led the Gold with six tackles while John Gilley had a 10-yard interception return to go with two tackles. Shola Obafemi led the Maroon with five tackles from his defensive back position, including two for losses.

Saturday's game wrapped up a solid spring for the Bobcats.

"We're a lot stronger. We're able to sustain a tough, long practice at a high tempo and we were also able to refine our offense and defense instead of continuing to install," said Texas State second-year coach David Bailiff. "You could see the difference."

Guest coaches for the Gold team were long-time Bobcat Athletic Foundation member Albert Gonzalez, State Representative Patrick Rose, Texas State letterman and Toyota of San Marcos owner Jim Stienke and Sac-N-Pac's Blake Warren. The Maroon squad was coached by Dr. John Huffman, the husband of Texas State University president Dr. Denise M. Trauth and Texas State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Perry Moore along with Associated Student Government President Jerry Parker and Vice President Chris Moore.

The Maroon and Gold Classic wrapped up a full day at Bobcat Stadium. Prior to the game, the `Cats spent an hour instructing kids through a series of drills as part of the Time Warner Junior Bobcat Club football clinic.

Texas State opens the 2005 season Sept. 3 when the Bobcats play host to Delta State. The `Cats return 43 lettermen including 19 starters and will play seven home games during the season. For ticket information contact the Texas State athletic ticket office at (512) 245-2272 or (877) 798-CATS.