KINGSVILLE, Texas – Midwestern State converted an errant backwards pass late in the first half into a touchdown to break open a tight game Saturday night at Javelina Stadium as the Mustangs came away with a 38-16 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.

MSU's Franquis Ford pressured Texas A&M-Kingsville quarterback Billy Garza forcing a backwards pass as the Javelinas threatened to take the lead before halftime.

"They ruled it a backwards pass and a fumble," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "Our coaches were screaming for them to pick it up."

And, with the Mustangs clinging to a 14-13 lead, that's exactly what sophomore safety Austin McDaniel did to give the Mustangs' possession on their own 25-yard line with just 1:26 remaining before halftime.

Midwestern quarterback Zack Eskridge made the Javelinas pay as he completed 5-for-5 passes for 71 yards including 26-yard scoring strike to Andy Tanner to increase the Mustangs' advantage to 21-13 going into intermission.

It was the first of two scoring connections between the pair of Rockwall (Texas) High School alumni as Tanner recorded career highs of six receptions for 96 yards, while Eskridge completed 21-of-29 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns and directed the Mustangs to a season-high 410 yards of total offense.

"It looked like he played his best ball game," Maskill said. "There's no doubt that was our best performance. It's a real tribute to our football team and the type of kids we have."

The Mustangs dominated the second half after holding the Javelinas to a field goal in their opening possession of the second half despite a 61-yard return by Clavens Charles to set the Javelinas up at the MSU 30-yard line.

MSU converted three of their four possessions into points to turn a close 21-16 contest into a comfortable 22-point win.

Junior cornerback Micah Hill intercepted Garza twice in the fourth quarter to squelch any chance of a Texas A&M-Kingsville comeback.

"My hat is off to our coaches and players," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "We did a great job of play calling and containing their running game."

The MSU defense limited the Javelinas to 102 rushing yards as Billy Martin managed just 35 yards on 13 carries after rushing for at least 161 yards in each of the last two weeks.

Sophomore Bobby Ransom paced the Mustangs' ground attack with 67 yards on 11 carries, while Marcus Mathis finished with 44 yards on 11 totes.

Senior safety Herman Walker led the defense with nine tackles, while sophomore Ryan Craven added seven.

Austin Shields, Chasley Walker, Micheal Mejia and Ford each recorded sacks for the Mustangs, who harassed Garza into to two interceptions and a fumble.

The Mustangs remain on the road next Saturday in Edmond as they face Central Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.at Wantland Stadium.