Braden’s Late Touchdown Catch Clinches 15-13 Win for Team Maroon
Apr 18, 2026 | Football
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M sophomore tight end Luke Braden's 23-yard touchdown catch from freshman quarterback Helaman Casuga with two seconds remaining gave Team Maroon a 15-13 victory over Team White in the 2026 Maroon & White Game on Saturday afternoon at Kyle Field.
Braden's catch culminated an 11-play, 61-yard drive that started on team Maroon's own 39-yard line. Another Casuga-to-Braden connection on the previous play converted a third-down situation and put Team Maroon in comfortable range for the Stratford, Texas, native's last-second heroics.
Defense generally ruled the day as Braden's game-winner was the lone offensive score of the day. Sophomore linebacker Noah Mikhail scored the other touchdown with a first-quarter interception that he returned 30 yards for a score.
The two teams combined to go 5-for-5 on field goal attempts with graduate student transfer David Olano converting kicks of 33 and 39 yards and freshman early enrollee Asher Murray from Shreveport, Louisiana, making a trio of three-pointers, including a 53-yarder.
How It Happened
Next Up
The Aggies kick off their 2026 campaign on Saturday, September 5 when they host Missouri State at Kyle Field.
Braden's catch culminated an 11-play, 61-yard drive that started on team Maroon's own 39-yard line. Another Casuga-to-Braden connection on the previous play converted a third-down situation and put Team Maroon in comfortable range for the Stratford, Texas, native's last-second heroics.
Defense generally ruled the day as Braden's game-winner was the lone offensive score of the day. Sophomore linebacker Noah Mikhail scored the other touchdown with a first-quarter interception that he returned 30 yards for a score.
The two teams combined to go 5-for-5 on field goal attempts with graduate student transfer David Olano converting kicks of 33 and 39 yards and freshman early enrollee Asher Murray from Shreveport, Louisiana, making a trio of three-pointers, including a 53-yarder.
How It Happened
- Team White: Chunk offensive plays by running back Jamarion Morrow and wide receiver Mario Craver set up 39-yard field goal by Olano.
- Team Maroon: Key 25-yard reception by Ashton Bethel-Roman from quarterback Brady Hart sets up Murray for a 29-yard field goal.
- Team White: Mikhail steps in front of a pass intended for tight end Houston Thomas and returns it 30 yards for a touchdown.
- Team Maroon: Murray boots a 29-yard field goal on a drive highlighted by a 33-yard reception by Isaiah Horton from Hart.
- Team Maroon: Murray booms a 53-yard field goal
- Team White: Olano connects on a 33-yard field goal after a 40-yard catch by Craver from quarterback Marcel Reed moves Team White into Maroon territory.
- Team Maroon: Braden reels in the game-winning 23-yard touchdown catch from Casuga with two seconds left in contest.
Next Up
The Aggies kick off their 2026 campaign on Saturday, September 5 when they host Missouri State at Kyle Field.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K
/ Football
K
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football2026 Football Legends Game
Saturday, April 18
Maroon & White Postgame: Mike Elko
Saturday, April 18
Maroon & White Postgame: Isaiah Horton, Jamarion Morrow, Noah Mikhail
Saturday, April 18
Highlights: Maroon & White Game
Saturday, April 18
