ROLLA, Mo. - Midwestern State's Brandon Kelsey accounted for 253 yards of total offense and four touchdowns to lead the Mustangs to a 41-0 season opening win over Missouri S&T Saturday at Allgood-Bailey Stadium.

MSU, who has won its last 11 campaign starters dating back to 2001, faces Texas A&M-Commerce as part of the Lone Star Festival next Saturday at Cowboys Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.

"It was hoping for a little more like we always are," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "They moved the ball more than we thought they would in the first quarter and we just weren't clicking."

The Mustangs stumbled out of the gate with just 44 yards of total yards in the first quarter, but erupted for 27 second quarter points spearheaded by Kelsey, who completed 13 of 20 passes for 187 yards and two TDs while rushing for 66 yards on eight carries with two more touchdowns.

Missouri S&T accounted for 71 of their 142 yards of total offense in the first quarter and were set up on the MSU 38-yard line after Jimmy Barnhardt pounced on a Keidrick Jackson fumble with 6:11 to play in the first half.

But the Miners were unable to convert their best scoring opportunity as Will Morrison's 19-yard field attempt sailed wide.

Then Kelsey got the Mustangs rolling early in the second quarter when he found David Little on a 25-yard reception then followed with a 27-yard strike to Edgard Theliar on a fade rout before capping the 5-play, 65-yard drive with a 5 yard TD run with 12:31 to play in the opening half.

"We came alive and got a couple of big plays and the defense started getting a little better," Maskill said. "That continued through the third quarter."

Kelsey made his lone mistake of the contest throwing interception on the Mustangs' next possession, but the junior from Arlington engineered scoring drives on the next five MSU possessions.

"(Kelsey) had some good reads and made some good choices," Maskill said. "He ran the ball well and will continue to get better with more game experience."

Kelsey hit Little for another 22-yard strike to set up a 3-yard plunge by Lester Bush to give MSU a 14-0 lead with 5:42 to go in the half.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, Kelsey capped a quick 4-play, 52-yard drive with a 22-yard dash for his second rushing TD of the opening half giving the Mustangs a 20-0 lead.

Jackson atoned for his fumble by dashing 40 yards on his first carry of the Mustangs' next possession then burst 13 more yards to the Missouri S&T 1-yard line before plunging in for the TD two carries later to give MSU a 27-0 halftime lead.

Kelsey connected with Little for touchdown strikes of 32 and 9 yards to round out the scoring in the third quarter.

Little paced the Mustangs' receiving corps making seven catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns while senior Edgard Theliar made four receptions for 55 yards.

Jackson paced MSU's 253-yard rushing attack netting 82 yards on nine carries while Bush added 45 yards on nine totes, Jimmy Pipkin had 32 yards on six carries and Peter Smith rushed for 22 yards on eight totes.

Senior linebacker Ty Duncan led the defense with nine tackles including one tackle for loss and was in on a sack.

Missouri S&T dipped to 1-1 on the season.