SAN ANGELO, Texas — Midwestern State had its chances to overcome another slow start Saturday night in the Lone Star Conference Playoffs at LeGrand Stadium.

The Mustangs just couldn't take advantage enough times falling short 41-36.

MSU (6-3) closes the season against Tarleton State Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Angelo State junior dual threat quarterback Kyle Washington showed his wares passing for 183 yards and three first quarter touchdowns.

Washington, who finished the game with 268 yards through the air, hit Chris Omigie on a 69-yard hookup on the opening play from scrimmage before connecting with Brett Rasberry (7) and Talon Smith (59).

The opening salvo allowed the Rams to jump out to a 21-7 lead after the opening quarter before the Mustangs caught traction.

MSU senior quarterback Jake Glover struck for his second touchdown of the night hitting Derek Lockhart on a 9-yard connection in the second quarter to cut the ASU advantage to 21-14 at the half.

Glover, who hit on 24-of-35 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns, capped MSU opening 13-play, 73-yard drive with a 20-yard post route to Statron Jones in the first quarter.

Washington proved once again he could do it with this feet when raced 68 yards on the Rams' opening snap of the second half to push the advantage to 28-14.

Washington's top two rushing games of the season have come against MSU as went for 255 yards earlier this season in Wichita Falls and finished with 184 yards on 12 carries on Saturday night. He hasn't rushed for 100 yards against any other team this season.

The Mustangs kept fighting as Chauncey Harris broke off a 21-yard scoring run midway through the third quarter followed by a Joe Sanders-to-Mark Strange two-point conversation to pull MSU to within 28-22.

Harris finished the night with a season-high 178 yards on 21 carries. It was his third consecutive 100-yard performance.

Washington had the answer as Angelo State notched the fourth of five scoring driving of less than a minute with a 30-yard run with 6:20 to play in the third quarter. The Rams unsuccessfully attempted a two-point conversion of their own to push the score to 34-22.

Midwestern State rapidly replied on consecutive long runs as Harris broke off right tackle on a 51-yard bust to set up a 25-yard scoring run by Dante Taylor to pull the Mustangs to within 34-29.

The Rams quick answered with a 3-play, 59-yard drive in 52 seconds culminating in a Washington-to-Dakarai Pecikonis 30-yard scoring strike to push the ASU lead to 41-29.

MSU produced a golden opportunity to grasp momentum when junior receiver Arsenio Phillips recorded Paul Mason's fumble punt return on the ASU 2-yard line.

But a bad connection on the center-quarterback exchange resulted in a fumble recorded by the Rams on their on 6-yard line.

The Mustangs held ground forcing Angelo State to punt before taking over at their own 6-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Midwestern embarked on a 20-play, 94-yard drive in 8:55 capped by a Glover to Joe Sanders 10-yard TD with 3:30 to play to narrow the deficit to 41-36.

The Mustangs' defense stiffened to produce on more three-and-out, but MSU's potential game winning drive stalled near midfield.

Midwestern State rolled up 555 yards of offense while controlling possession for more than 40 minutes.

Angelo State (7-2) moves on to face Texas A&M-Commerce in the Lone Star Conference Playoff finals Saturday in Commerce.