- Box Score
WICHITA FALLS – With two lightning delays and torrential downpours, Tarleton took on the No. 18 team in the nation as they faced the Mustangs of Midwestern State Saturday night in Wichita Falls. The Texans fell for the fifth time the season, dropping a 44-13 loss to MSU.
Kick-off was pushed back to 8 p.m. after a 7 p.m. originally scheduled start time.
Once play began, both teams struggled to get any footing offensively.
The Texans would strike first at the 6:32 mark when senior quarterback Nick Stephens scrambled in from two yards out on a naked bootleg, putting Tarleton up 6-0. The Texans would not be able to convert on the extra-point with slick playing conditions making it difficult for the kicking game.
MSU would respond on their next drive, marching down the field on 13 plays for 5:43. Keidrick Jackson punched it in from one yard out to tie the game up at 6-6. The Mustangs would hit the extra-point to take a 7-6 lead.
On the ensuing kick-off, returner Cordell Valentine dropped the kick due to a wet ball, but picked it up and ran it back 76 yards for the touchdown and a 13-7 Tarleton advantage.
In the second quarter, MSU's Jackson scored his second touchdown of the game. This time a two-yard run and a Greg Saladino extra-point put the Mustangs back on top 14-13.
Immediately after the following kick-off, another lightning strike delayed the game for the second time of the evening, stalling play with 12:56 to play in the second quarter.
A 45 minute delay halted the game until 9:32 when play resumed.
The soggy conditions once again limited what the Texans were able to do offensively.
Football at Midwestern St. - 10-8-11 Gallery
At the 3:02 mark, MSU's defense stepped up and made what might have well been the play of the game by forcing a safety on the Texans, due to a hold by the offensive line.
The Mustangs now enjoyed a 16-13 advantage with 3:02 left to play in the half.
MSU would add to their lead before the second quarter ran out as quarterback Brandon Kelsey rushed for 33 yards and a score to make it 23-13 in favor of the host Mustangs.
Through the first 30 minutes of action, Tarleton had amassed 80 yards of offense on 32 plays while MSU had 217 yards on 38 plays. Time of possession also favored the Mustangs by 5:16.
The Texans' bright spot defensively was Desmond Jackson, who racked up 10 tackles by halftime.
The second half got underway around 10 p.m. local time as the rain continued to drench the fans that braved the storm.
The Mustangs continued to run on all cylinders on their first possession of the second half, capping off a 4:37 drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass to David Little. Tarleton now found themselves in a big hole, 30-13.
With 7:06 on the clock, MSU turned their second drive of the second half into seven more points as Lester Bush added his own rushing touchdown from one yard out. The Mustangs' ground game not only pounded away at the Texan defense, but also ran valuable time off the clock.
In the fourth, MSU's Jimmy Pipkin piled on the yards and points with an 83-yard touchdown run, adding insult to injury for Tarleton as time ticked under 11 minutes to play. The Mustangs pushed their lead to 44-13.
The combination of rough weather and inconsistent play doomed the Texans who fell to 1-5 on the season after MSU defeated Tarleton 44-13.
The Texan offense finished the game with just 179 yards of total offense while the Mustangs put together 450 yards. MSU also enjoyed 13:10 more time of possession than the visiting Texans.
Stephens finished the game with 89 yards on 8-of-29 passing, with Courtney Vaughn contributing 90 yards on 26 carries.
Clifton Rhodes and Brad Croak both had 36 yards receiving to lead Tarleton.
Defensively, Marquis Wadley led the Texans yet again with 15 tackles, while Desmond Jackson and Dan Jackson added 14 tackles each.
Tarleton will return home to host Texas A&M-Commerce on October 15 at 7 p.m. at Tarleton Memorial Stadium. The President's Cup will be on the line as the Texans take on the Lions.
For more information regarding the 2011 Tarleton football season, check out TarletonSports.com.
