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WICHITA FALLS – The Tarleton Texans were an interception away from knocking off No. 22 Midwestern State in Wichita Falls on Saturday. Tarleton dropped a 31-26 Lone Star Conference South Division decision.

Tarleton's Nick Stephens threw a great pass to Jeken Frye at the MSU one-yardline, but the ball went through the receiver's hands and was intercepted and returned 99 yards. The following touchdown made the difference in the ballgame.

“We need to take those chances we have and turn them into points,” said Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler. “I am not into moral victories, and though we are getting better, we have to make our chances count, and we didn't do that tonight.”

The Texans outgained the nationally-ranked Mustangs 444 yards to 362. The Texans rushed for 218 yards on 42 carries while gaining 226 yards through the air. It was the first time the Texans gained over 200 yards on the ground since the first round NCAA playoff game at Texas A&M-Kingsville last season. The Mustangs had 187 yards on the ground and 175 yards through the air.

Tarleton scored first when Blake Wiest hit a 23-yard field goal to end a 13-play, 74-yard drive that took 6:44. The Texans led 3-0 with 8:16 left in the first quarter.

MSU responded with a touchdown when Desmond Ratliff caught a one-yard pass from Zack Eskridge with 10 seconds left in the opening quarter. Jose Martinez added the extra point, and the Mustangs led 7-3 after a 10-play, 57-yard drive.

Wiest added a 29-yard field goal with 12:22 left in the second period to cut the lead to one, 7-6. The drive was eight plays over 71 yards. 

The Mustangs' Kendrick Jackson then ran into the endzone from 17 yards away prior to Martinez getting the PAT to give the home team a 14-6 advantage.

With 6:38 left in the first half, Jeken Frye, who had caught two long passes earlier in the half, caught a 34-yard touchdown reception from Nick Stephens to close a seven-play,65-yard drive. Wiest added the extra point to make it 14-13.

Tarleton was driving with the two-minute drill at the end of the half, and the Texans were forced to kick a 49-yard field goal. However, the snap was low, and the kick was blocked, though Wiest recovered the ball.

MSU drove to the Tarleton 22-yardline, but an incomplete pass to the seven-yardline ended the half with the home team leading, 14-13.

MSU scored with 6:54 left in the third quarter when Jackson ran the ball in from 16 yards out. Martinez' kick made it 21-13 after the six-play, 75-yard drive.

Tarleton then drove the field and got inside the redzone, and a perfect pass from Stephens to Frye went through the receiver's hands and was intercepted in the endzone by Neiko Conway. The Mustang returned the interception to the Tarleton one and the Mustangs added to the score when Lester Bush punched the ball into the endzone. 

Martinez then kicked a 27-yard field goal with 12:06 left in the game to cap a five-play, 46-yard drive. The score put the Mustangs ahead 31-13.

Jerome Regal then scored with 10:55 left in the fourth on a 30-yard rush. Wiest's kick made it 31-20. 

The Texans then got the ball back, and Regal again scored for the visitors – this time with 3:59 remaining. Regal crossed the goal line from seven yards away, but Stephens' pass to Frye was knocked down on the two-point conversion, and Tarleton trailed 31-26 after the seven-play, 63-yard drive. 

Despite the attempt of the Texan defense to get the ball back to the offense, the Mustangs held onto the ball and the victory.

Regal led the Texans in rushing with 113 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns. He turned in his first 100-yard game of his collegiate career after rushing for 86 yards in the fourth quarter. Evan Robertson rushed for 97 yards on 24 carries for the visitors.

Stephens was 17-of-28 for 226 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Frye had four catches for 108 yards and a score while Jamal Mays had four catches for 63 yards. 

Brandon Johnson, Terrence Henry, Cassius Bradley and Damian Perkins all had nine tackles each to lead the team.

Bush had 14 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown to lead the Mustangs while Eskridge was 14-of-22 for 175 yards and a score. 

Ratliff had four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving corps. 

The MSU victory was the first over the Texans since 2000 and the first win at home over Tarleton since 1995.

The Texans will return to action at home on Saturday, Nov. 6 when they host Incarnate Word at 7 p.m.