Saturday, November 12, 2016

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS — It seemed as if 12^th-ranked Midwestern State (8-2; LSC 7-2) had relied on a previous script, when they rallied from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to seize a 28-24 lead with just 52 seconds left in regulation. The Eastern New Mexico University football team (7-4; LSC 6-3) had other ideas, and responded with a seven-play, 70-yard drive, capped by Aaron Johnson's 19-yard touchdown reception on the game's final play, to upend the Mustangs, 30-28, in Lone Star Conference action at Memorial Stadium.

Significance of the Win

• The victory snapped a three-game skid in the series and was the first since a 40-21 victory in 2013
• It was the sixth overall win for ENMU against the Mustangs
• The Hounds snapped a six game skid in road games to MSU, with the last win coming by a 36-33 score on September 15, 2001
• The victory gave ENMU its third seven-win season in the last four years
• Last season, Midwestern State overcame fourth-quarter deficits of 24-21 and 21-13 against the Hounds
• Just one day after the volleyball team defeated tenth-ranked Angelo State, the football team followed with a win over the 12^th-ranked team in the nation

About the Defense

• De'Aundre Sanders had two interceptions in the game, while Quavshaun Branch had one
• Sander's interceptions came at the Greyhound 20 and five-yards lines, to thwart Midwestern State scoring opportunities
• Branch's interception came at the Greyhound nine-yard line in the fourth quarter, just after a turnover by ENMU
• ENMU's defense allowed just 266 yards of offense, with only 36 rushing yards

 
On the Offensive Side

• Kamal Cass had over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns before the first quarter was over
• On Cass' two touchdown runs and a 27-yard field goal from Bailey Hale, Eastern took a 17-0 lead in the first quarter
• ENMU finished with 430 rushing yards, led by Cass' season-best 159 yards, which included a season-best 86-yard run
• The Hounds scored on all four trips to the red zone, with four ending in touchdowns
• ENMU converted eight of 15 third downs, while Midwestern State was held to two of 12
• Wyatt Strand rushed for 95 yards and a score and passed for 66 yards
• Tayshaun Gary and Paul Terry finished with 54 and 50 rushing yards respectively

 
Ebb and Flow

• The Greyhounds charged to a 17-0 first quarter lead, but Midwestern State scored twice in the final 5:37 of the half to trail 17-14 at intermission
• After a scoreless third quarter, Strand's 15-yard touchdown run staked ENMU to a 24-14 lead midway through the fourth
• The Mustangs scored on a 28-yard Quade Coward to Yarbrough pass with 1:12 left, and the tandem hooked up 20 second later for the go-ahead touchdown after an onside kick
• Eastern's final drive started at its own 30-yard line, and the Hounds recovered their own fumble on the first play
• Strand completed three-of-six passes on the drive, with Aaron Johnson catching all three for 44 yards
• Johnson's final catch came in the end zone for the game-winning 19-yard score as time expired

 
About the Mustangs

• The loss was the Mustangs first at home this season
• MSU had a two-game win streak coming into today's game, which included a road-win over Tarleton State, last weekend
• Coward passed for 230 yards and three scores for the Mustangs
• The MSU defense forced three fumbles, but only managed to recover one
• Paul Eteaki had 1.5 of the Mustangs four sacks for the game