Football 10/30/2010 1:00:00 AM MSU Sports Information

Game Day: #22 Midwestern State set to tangle with rival Texans

Setting the Stage

No. 22 Midwestern State plays host to rival Tarleton State in a Lone Star Conference South Division match up Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Where to Find the Game

100.9 BOB FM - The broadcast features the play-by-play voice of two-time Lone Star Conference Broadcaster of the Year Bill Powers. He is joined by KAUZ anchorman Chris Horgen, who serves as color Analyst.
On the Web - BOB-FM's audio broadcast is simulcast on BOBradio.fm. Link

Live Stats -
Live stats are available courtesy of MSUMustangs.com.com. Link

For the Record

Midwestern State will try to end 10 years of futility against the Texans Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

The Mustangs are zero for their last seven against the Purple Poo which includes a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to Tarleton State as Garrett Lindholm's 65-yard field goal split the uprights as time expired last season in Stephenville.

Former NFL star Dominic Rhodes led Midwestern to its last victory over the Texans when he rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-23 decision on Nov. 4, 2000 in Stephenville.

MSU coach Bill Maskill is 0-6 against the Texas and the Mustangs haven't solved Tarleton at home since Sep. 9, 1995.

Who's Hot

Keidrick Jackson led the Lone Star Conference's best ground attack with 77 yards on 12 carries as the Mustangs were held without a rushing touchdown for the first time this season last week at West Texas A&M.

It was second time the redshirt freshman from Arlington's Bowie High School paced the MSU running back stable this season after rushing for 137 yards all in the fourth quarter last month at Central Oklahoma.

Sophomore wide receiver Jared Freeman posted career highs with six catches for 70 yards.

Sophomore punter Gunter Elenburg averaged 45.3 yards on six punts with a long of 55 yards with one inside the 20.

The Jacksboro High product has recovered from a slow start this to average to 40.9 yards on his last 17 punts including four of 50-or-more yards, four inside the 20-yard line and three fair catches.

About the Series

Midwestern State and Tarleton State meet for the 25th time on the gridiron Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

The Texans own a 17-6-1 edge in the series and have won the last seven meetings.

Quick Hits

Midwestern State suffered its second straight LSC South Division road loss last week to fall to 6-2 overall, 5-2 in LSC play and 2-2 in the LSC South.

The Mustangs fell to 7-27 against ranked opposition since joining NCAA Division II in 1995.

MSU dropped to 1-13 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 on the road.

Midwestern fell behind 35-3 late in the third quarter Saturday night at West Texas A&M. It was the largest deficit for MSU during the Bill Maskill era. The last time MSU trailed by 32 points was on Sep. 2, 1999 when it suffered a 45-3 defeat at Texas State.

Midwestern State was held without a rushing touchdown for the first time this season.

MSU quarterback Zack Eskridge threw a career-high four interceptions with two of them coming off of the hands of junior wideout Desmond Ratliff. It was just the third time Eskridge had thrown multiple interceptions and was the first time throwing two against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 18, 2008.

Eskridge completed three touchdown passes and now has a TD pass in each of his last 21 games... Redshirt freshman Zak Bracken became the second Mustang player to return an interception for a touchdown this season when he rambled 20 yards for a score late in the third quarter. Tyler Maner returned a pick 36 yards for a TD on Sep. 11 at Eastern New Mexico.

Midwestern State now has 11 interceptions this season - all by different players.

Freshman Neiko Conway recorded MSU's first blocked punt this season. The Mustangs blocked 10 last season.

Sophomore punter Gunter Elenburg averaged 45.3 yards per punt on six efforts with a long of 55 yards placing one inside the 20-yard line.

-- MSUMustangs.com --

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Players Mentioned

#58 Zak Bracken: LB; 6' 1"; Freshman; RS

#38 Neiko Conway: DB; 5' 10"; Freshman; HS

#39 Gunter Elenburg: P; 6' 0"; Freshman; RS

#18 Zack Eskridge: QB; 6' 4"; Senior; 2L

#5 Jared Freeman: WR; 5' 11"; Sophomore; 1L

#32 Keidrick Jackson: RB; 5' 9"; Freshman; RS

#35 Tyler Maner: DB; 6' 0"; Junior; 2L

#83 Desmond Ratliff: WR; 6' 1"; Junior; TR

Players Mentioned

#58 Zak Bracken
: 6' 1"; Freshman; RS
: LB

#38 Neiko Conway
: 5' 10"; Freshman; HS
: DB

#39 Gunter Elenburg
: 6' 0"; Freshman; RS
: P

#18 Zack Eskridge
: 6' 4"; Senior; 2L
: QB

#5 Jared Freeman
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; 1L
: WR

#32 Keidrick Jackson
: 5' 9"; Freshman; RS
: RB

#35 Tyler Maner
: 6' 0"; Junior; 2L
: DB

#83 Desmond Ratliff
: 6' 1"; Junior; TR
: WR