ODESSA, Texas (November 6, 2026) – The University of Texas Permian Basin football team (6-3 overall, 5-2 LSC) will take on its final road game of the season as the Falcons travel to Wichita Falls, Texas, for a matchup against the second-place team in the Lone Star Conference and No. 24 nationally-ranked Midwestern State University (7-2, 6-1) starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, from Memorial Stadium. It will be Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day for the Mustangs playing in their home finale.

In addition to being a battle between the second and third-place teams in the LSC standings, it will be UTPB's third matchup against a nationally-ranked team this season (1-1). It will be a tough contest against an MSU team that has won three straight games, is tops in the league in total offense (544.6 ypg), and is scoring a conference-best 44.3 points per game.

The Falcons have won their last three meetings with the Mustangs, two of which have come on the road. UTPB has won those last three matchups by an average of 18 points per game.

UTPB is tied with Western Oregon University for the best record among LSC teams in road games this season (4-2), while Midwestern State is the only LSC team with an undefeated record at home (5-0).

It will also be UTPB's third game in a row playing against a team with the reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Week (Ryder Bumgarner, CWU; Canon Wiese, ASU; Dominic Cox, MSU).

FALCONS' LAST TIME OUT
Cheno Navarrette had two touchdowns – one rushing and one receiving – and Diego Chavarria made two field goals to lead UT Permian Basin to a 20-10 win over Angelo State at Astound Broadband Stadium in Odessa, Texas. It was a one-possession game for the majority of the second half before Chavarria made a 45-yard field goal with 2:10 to play to seal the victory. Navarrette ran for 73 yards on 12 carries and totaled 66 yards on six catches. He scored in the first and second quarters. UTPB's Braxton Baker was 22-for-39 for 214 yards passing. Eli Leitaua had 10 tackles, while Isaiah Mathews had one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Nicholas Butler had his fifth interception to set the UTPB single-season record. Matthew Sebade averaged 42.6 yards on five punts and pinned two inside the 20-yard line. ASU's Maddox Maher was 20-for-32 passing for 201 yards and one TD. Kevin Odikpo and Eugene Liger each had an INT for the Rams.

SCOUTING UTPB
UT Permian Basin opened the season with a 44-0 loss at (FCS) UT Rio Grande Valley. The Falcons responded with a 69-14 home victory over Western New Mexico before defeating Sul Ross State 66-7 and Eastern New Mexico 56-10 both on the road. After starting 3-0 in Lone Star Conference play, the Falcons turned their attention to their final nonconference game of the season and upset No. T-21 Northeastern State University 38-27. UTPB then returned to LSC action and had to scrap until the very end to pull out a 24-17 victory at West Texas A&M University. It was a perfect 4-0 road trip and a 4-0 start in the LSC for UTPB before falling for the first time in conference play in its return to Midland, Texas, the following week. UTPB fell 38-19 at home vs. Western Oregon and then dropped a 42-13 score on the road at No. 13 Central Washington before getting back into the win column by earning its first-ever home win over Angelo State, 20-10.

UTPB continues to lead the Lone Star Conference in scoring defense (23.2 ppg) and still ranks fourth in scoring offense (33.9 ppg). The Falcons are averaging 135.3 rushing yards and 241.8 passing yards per game, and are ninth in the conference in total offense (377.1 ypg), but have also held on to the top spot in total defense (370.1 ypg). Their defense has surrendered 25 touchdowns through nine games, the fewest in the LSC. The Falcons' defense also leads the league in interceptions (18) and forced fumbles (11) and is second in sacks (24) and fumble recoveries (8).

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• UTPB is still allowing a league-low 23.2 points per game and is first in the LSC in total defense (370.1 ypg) and second in rushing defense (128.0 ypg).
• UTPB ranks first in all of NCAA Division II in total interceptions (18) and turnovers gained (26 – 18 INT, 8 FUM REC).
• The Falcons also rank third nationally in interception return yards (360), are tied for fourth in defensive touchdowns (4), and are seventh in turnover margin (+11, 1.22 avg.).
• The UTPB defense has recorded at least one interception and one sack in eight straight games. Earlier this season, the Falcons had recorded at least two interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble in five straight games during their winning streak.

RECORD BOOK WATCH

• With a team-high 37 receptions this season, senior wide receiver Traylen Suel, from College Station, Texas, is the Falcons' new career leader for receptions (124). He surpassed the previous record of 116 receptions set by MJ Link (2020-22) during UTPB's contest vs. Western Oregon (Oct. 17).
• Sophomore safety Nicholas Butler, from Dallas, Texas, recorded his new school-record fifth interception of the season last time out vs. Angelo State (Oct. 31). He surpasses D'Ondrea Robinson (Spring 2021) and Jacques Tyler (2021).
• Earlier this season, the Falcons set program single-game records for sacks (8 at Eastern New Mexico) and interceptions (5 at Northeastern State) in back-to-back games.
• With 18 interceptions on the season, the Falcons have officially passed the program's previous single-season record of 16 interceptions sets in 2021.
• Junior wide receiver Heston Kelly, from, Rusk, Texas, has totaled 12 punt returns for 100 yards this season and has 32 total punt returns for 215 yards in his three-year career at UTPB. He is tied with Gunnar Abseck (2021-24) for the most punt returns in program history, is 24 yards shy of tying the single-season record for punt return yards, and is 21 yards shy of tying the career record for punt return yards.
• Senior safety Layne Horak, from Rockwall, Texas, made his mark in the UTPB record book earlier this season with an interception in three straight games vs. Western New Mexico University (Sept. 12), at Sul Ross State University (Sept. 19) and at Eastern New Mexico University (Sept 26), including back-to-back games to open conference play with an interception returned for a touchdown against the Mustangs and the Lobos. He was the second player in program history to record an interception in three consecutive games, was the first with back-to-back pick-sixes, and had already set a school record with 135 interception return yards on the season.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET
No. 11 UT Permian Basin powers past Midwestern State, 37-15: No. 11 UT Permian Basin stayed perfect on the season with a 37-15 win over Midwestern State at Astound Broadband Stadium. UTPB (4-0 overall, 2-0 LSC) scored 24 points in the second quarter and led 31-0 at halftime. UTPB's Kanon Gibson was 21 of 29 passing for 331 yards and three TDs – one to Jaylon Tillman (five catches for 102 yards). Tristan Exline (two sacks), Jacob Humphrey (1.5 sacks) and Jayden Plater (one interception) led the Falcons' defense. For MSU, Noah Bustard had a 25-yard fumble recovery for a score and Amani Pressley returned a point-after attempt 93 yards for a safety.

MUSTANGS UNDER THE LENS
Midwestern State closed its 2025 season with a 3-8 overall record and a 3-6 mark in conference play, its third straight season with just three conference wins, but the 2026 season has been completely the opposite for the Mustangs. Head football coach Rich Renner (third season) brought in a new crop of talented players and made some changes to the coaching staff in an effort to return Midwestern State to contending status in the Lone Star Conference.

Midwestern State is coming off a 3-8 season and was 1-4 at home with a 31-24 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville to snap a season-opening four-game losing streak. The Mustangs closed the season with a 70-23 victory at Western New Mexico to end a four-game slide. The Mustangs averaged 30 points and 418.3 yards per game last season, but the defense allowed 38.6 points and 482 yards per game.

Midwestern State was picked eighth in the Lone Star Conference Football Preseason Poll of LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members, but the Mustangs have certainly proved expectations wrong.

Offensive lineman Paul Ledet and defensive lineman Charles McKnight were selected as LSC Preseason Players to Watch for the Mustangs. Ledet is a two-time All-LSC selection, making the second-team in 2024 followed by an honorable mention selection in 2025 after playing eight games at center for the Mustangs that season. McKnight played in all 11 games during the 2025 season, totaling 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks for 18 yards of loss.

MUSTANGS' STATISTICS THIS SEASON
Midwestern State is No. 2 in NCAA Division II in total offense with 544.6 yards per game, and the passing attack is No. 1 in the nation with 363.0 yards per game. The Mustangs are the highest scoring team in the LSC and fifth in the nation with 44.3 points per game. The Mustangs have picked up more first downs than any other program in D2 with 254 through eight games.

Midwestern State is third in the LSC in total defense, allowing 382.6 yards per game, and has the fourth-best scoring defense in the league with opponents putting up 26.8 points per game.

Midwestern State quarterback Kaden Brown has the following NCAA Division II national rankings: 1st in total offense (353.1), 2nd in passing yards (2,975) and passing yards per game (330.56), T3rd in passing touchdowns (27), 4th in completions per game (24.56), 5th in points responsible for (184) and in points responsible for per game (20.4), 7th in completion percentage (.691), 10th in passing efficiency (170.00), and 12th in yards per pass attempt (9.30).

Earlier this season, Brown was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week in the Lone Star Conference after completing 23-of-49 passes for a school record 474 yards and three touchdowns in the Mustangs' 41-31 win at West Texas A&M (Sept. 26). Brown had a school record 506 yards of total offense, rushing for 32 yards and a touchdown as Midwestern State defeated West Texas A&M for the first time since 2018 and earned its first victory in Canyon, Texas, since 2012. Brown's passing yardage and total offense numbers were the most in NCAA Division II this season and highest in the LSC since 2017. Brown leads the nation in total offense per game with 353.1 yards per outing.

MSU'S PATH TO SECOND PLACE
Game 1: Midwestern State (1-0) secured a 30–23 victory over Missouri Southern State (0-1) on Saturday evening at Memorial Stadium. The Mustangs capitalized on three red zone opportunities, converting them all into touchdowns.

Game 2: Midwestern State lost to Michigan Tech 48-27 on Saturday. The Mustangs passed for 332 yards and three touchdowns, but their five turnovers led to 20 points for the Huskies.

Game 3: Midwestern State set a school record for points scored in a game and defeated Western New Mexico 84-17 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Game 4: Midwestern State quarterback Kaden Brown had a record-setting night as Midwestern State ended a six-game losing streak in its rivalry with West Texas A&M and earned its first-ever win in five visits to Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium. Brown threw for 475 yards and three touchdowns. MSU finished with 198 yards on the ground and three more scores in a 41-31 victory on Saturday night.

Game 5: Midwestern State defeated Western Oregon 44-32 on Saturday. The Mustangs passed for 436 yards and four touchdowns and added 176 rushing yards, while their defense forced three turnovers.

Game 6: Midwestern State lost to Central Washington 44-29 on Saturday night at Tomlinson Stadium. The Mustangs tied the game at 21 on a 40-second scoring drive in the second quarter, but the push was not enough as CWU finished with 506 yards of offense.

Game 7: Midwestern State (5-2, 4-1) defeated Angelo State (2-5, 2-3) 36-32 on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Ace Traylor put the Mustangs ahead with 4:17 remaining after they trailed 32-29.

Game 8: Midwestern State (6-2, 5-1) defeated Sul Ross State (2-6, 1-5) 71-0 in the homecoming game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. MSU scored 71 unanswered points across 11 scoring drives, including 34 points in the first quarter.

Game 9: (RV) Midwestern State (7-2, 6-1) defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-5, 4-3) 37-14 on Saturday evening at Javelina Stadium. The Mustangs scored 30 unanswered points across five scoring drives in the first half to take control.

MUSTANGS' LAST TIME OUT
(RV) Football Catches a Road Win Over the Javelinas, 37-14: Kaden Brown threw for five touchdowns – three to Dominic Cox – and Midwestern State built a commanding lead by halftime to defeat Texas A&M-Kingsville 37-14 at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas. Brown finished 27-for-39 for 337 yards. Cox (14 catches for 129 yards) and Fabian Baez (six catches for 147 yards and two TDs) each surpassed 100 receiving yards. MSU, which improved to 6-1 in league play, led 30-0 at halftime. Kolin Garner had one interception and one forced fumble for the Mustangs. TAMUK's Mills Dawson was 22-for-34 passing for 233 yards. He threw and ran for a TD. Edward Chumley added 96 yards on 20 carries. Julian Payne had a game-high 12 tackles for the Javelinas.

DOMINIC COX NAMED LSC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior wide receiver Dominic Cox tied a school record with 14 receptions in the 37-14 win at Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday night. He totaled 129 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the victory and has been named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

Cox had 11 catches and two touchdowns in the first half as Midwestern State raced out to a 30-0 lead at Javelina Stadium. He finished the game with touchdown receptions of seven, nine and 10 yards. His longest reception of the game was good for 19 yards.

The native of Los Angeles is tied for second in the conference with seven touchdown receptions this season. He leads the team and is second in the LSC with 5.4 receptions per game.  He has 497 yards receiving this season, averaging more than 55 receiving yards per game.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
No. 12 Central Washington extended its winning streak to seven games with a Week 9 victory and can now clinch at least a share of the Lone Star Conference football title with one more win. Midwestern State, West Texas A&M and Western Oregon also extended their winning streaks. They have each won three games in a row. UT Permian Basin was the only team to win at home.

Week 10 will again feature all 10 teams in conference action (UTPB at MSU; WT at WOU; Western New Mexico at CWU; Eastern New Mexico at Angelo State; and Sul Ross State at Texas A&M-Kingsville).

The third NCAA Division II NPI Rankings of the season were released on Nov. 1. CWU is No. 12 in the nation and No. 6 in Super Region Four.

MSU is tops in the league in total offense (544.6 yards per game), while UTPB is tops in defense (370.1 yards per game). MSU is scoring a conference-best 44.3 points per game and UTPB is allowing a league-low 23.2 points per game. WT (52.9 yards per game) is the least penalized team in the LSC.

The LSC has had two players earn national player of the week recognition by D2Football.com this season: UTPB linebacker McKyle So'oto (Defensive) on Oct. 6 and TAMUK wide receiver Christian Kretz (Offensive) on Oct. 13.

CWU was picked to repeat as the LSC champion this season, according to the league's preseason poll. WOU senior quarterback Jordan McCarty and CWU senior linebacker Brycen Indell were predicted to win preseason player of the year honors.

LIVE COVERAGE
Saturday's contest will be broadcasted on FloCollege. The LSC and FloSports reached a historic agreement in August of 2024 for the largest streaming rights deal in NCAA Division II history. LSC fans will have three subscription plans to choose from: Standard, Student or Family. The Standard Plan is $24.99 per month or $119.88 per year ($9.99/month). The Student Plan is $12.99 per month or $95.88 per year ($7.99/month). Subscribers must have a valid .edu email address from an LSC member institution or affiliate. The Family Plan is $155.88 per year ($12.99/month). FloCollege's newest subscription plan is only available annually. The primary account owner will be able to invite up to two additional individuals to join their account. Each added account will receive its own login with full access to FloCollege and can stream the same or different content from completely different locations.

To follow the action for the Falcons all season long, please check out our Live Events page for all of the video and live stats details: https://utpbfalcons.com/coverage.

In addition, all UTPB home and away football games can be heard live on KQRX 95.1 FM, 95X, a West Texas Radio Group station" with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes prior to kickoff.