The UT Permian Basin Falcons football team dropped their home and Lone Star Conference opener to MSU Texas 43-21 Saturday night at Ratliff Stadium.

MSU Texas opened the first half with the ball.  They pushed the ball down to the Falcon 32 before going for it on fourth down.  The Falcons held firm and stopped MSU Texas on downs.  After a UTPB punt, MSU started from their own 15.  They drove the ball down inside the Falcon five yard-line.  After getting the ball to the three, the Falcons did not break forcing an incomplete pass and taking over on their own three.  

Starting quarterback Taylor Null then led the Falcons on a 97-yard drive to strike first and go up 7-0.  The drive was highlighted by a fourth-and-two where Null ran for three yards and the first down.  Marquis Simmons punched it in from eight yards out to take the lead on the number seven team in the country.  

MSU would eventually answer back with a long touchdown drive of their own.  They went 67 yards in 10 plays and finished it off when Layton Raab's tipped pass was caught by Anthony Tennison to tie the score.  MSU converted a 41-yard touchdown pass to end the half and take the 14-7 lead.

After a Falcon three-and-out, MSU answered with a score.  Vincent Johnson scored on a one-yard run to make it 21-7.

On the ensuing drive the Falcons had fourth-and-five on the MSU 42.  A pass interference penalty gave them a first down.  They'd capitalize on a Null touchdown pass to Ben Galaviz for 27 yards to make it a one score game.

The next offensive play Johnson streaked 82 yards for an MSU touchdown.  They'd convert a two-point conversion to go up 29-14.  MSU would add a Tennison 20-yard touchdown grab from Raab, before Raab would run one in himself from nine yards out.

The Falcons would score again, converting a third-and-29 with a 56-yard touchdown strike from Null to Kristian Brown to make it 43-21, which would be the final score.

Null went 22-35 for 300 yards passing along with a pair of touchdowns.  Simmons finished the night with 101 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.  Brown lead the Falcon receivers with five catches for 120 yards including a score.  Chris Hoad paced the defense with nine tackles.  

Raab threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns while Johnson ran for 195 yards and two scores.  

The Falcons are on the road again next week as they travel to Stephenville for a Lone Star Conference match-up with Tarleton State, Saturday at 7 p.m.