Box Score

The UT Permian Basin defense turned in an impressive performance against one of the top teams in the Lone Star Conference, but the Falcons were unable to take advantage of opportune situations in a 14-8 loss on the road at #16 Midwestern State.

Following a pair of stops early in the game by the Falcon defense, Midwestern State put points on the board late in the first quarter. Zach Purcell capped off a 10 play, 72 yard drive with a three yard pass to Juwan Johnson for a 7-0 lead with 2:29 remaining in the first quarter.

UTPB answered late in the half after a defensive stop deep in MSU's territory. Taking possession on the MSU 49, Caleb Forrest caught an eight-yard pass on fourth and two to keep the drive alive, and a Gabe Nelson run for 17 yards on 3rd and 7 moved the ball down to the MSU 13. Hayden Decossas connected from 27 yards out four plays later to pull the Falcons within 7-3. 

The Mustangs drove into Falcon territory with time running out in the half, but a 24-yards pass to the end zone was batted down as time expired.

Nelson lead the Falcons with 58 yards on 10 carries in the first half, while Kyle McBride had a pair of catches for 44 yards.

Midwestern State built in some separation early in the second half, taking a 14-3 lead when Lazarus Fisher rushed in from nine yards out on the first drive after halftime.

Keegan Gray got a pair of points back for UTPB, recording the team's second safety in as many weeks on a one yard loss in the end zone to pull within 14-5.

Hayden Decossas ended the team's next drive by nailing a 42-yard field goal near the end of the third quarter to draw the Falcons within a single possession at 14-8.

The Falcons stepped up to hold the Mustangs scoreless in the fourth quarter. MSU Texas missed a 30-yard field goal with 13:12 left, but they held the Falcons to a three-and-out on the next offensive possession.

Two series later, Diego Assad had a big sack on fourth down, forcing the ball back to the Falcons with 5:01 remaining.

The Mustangs forced the Falcons to punt again, but a Sergio Landeros punt careened into the helmet of an MSU player and was recovered by Ryan Baker at the MSU 40.

Jaydon Cunigan got the ball back for the Mustangs, grabbing an interception down the sideline at the 10 yard line. The Mustangs were able to convert a pair of first downs to run out the clock and end the game.

Chris Hoad paced the defensive performance with a forced fumble and a team-high 15 tackles on the night, while Keegan Gray lived in the MSU backfield, racking up 10 tackles and 3.5 tackles-for-loss.

Nelson led the Falcons with 55 rushing yards, and McBride had 73 receiving yards on six catches.

The Falcons are back home next week, hosting #4 Tarleton at 7 p.m. next Saturday. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early and can get them 24 hours a day at utpbfalcons.com.