Midwestern State vs. West Texas A&M
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 | 7 p.m.
Memorial Stadium | Wichita Falls, Texas
Records: Midwestern State (5-0, 3-0); West Texas A&M (2-2, 1-1)
Video: Mustangs Digital Network (PPV)  
Audio: Mustangs Digital Network (Free) 
Live Stats: MSUMustangs.com  
 
ON THE FIELD
Midwestern State and West Texas A&M renew the Highway 287 Challenge Cup rivalry Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. The series is tied at 1-1 with West Texas A&M claiming a win in volleyball and Midwestern State taking a victory in women's soccer. The victor of Saturday night's football game lays claim to two points. The challenge cup is in its third year of existence with WT taking a 13-12 win in 2013-14 and a 12-11 victory in 2014-15.
 
SCOUTING THE BUFFS
- West Texas A&M faces fourth ranked opponent in five games this season Saturday against No. 12 Midwestern State.
- The Buffs have taken losses to No. 19 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (27-24) and No. 6 Angelo State (35-17) but claimed a 31-30 win over defending national champion and then-No. 2-ranked Colorado State-Pueblo.
- Mike Nesbitt is in his third season at the helm of the West Texas A&M football program posting a 19-10 record including a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2013.
- West Texas A&M carries the No. 6 total offense and total defense into Saturday night's contest with Midwestern State.
- WT totals 384.3 yards of total offense per game led by senior running back Geremy Aldridge-Mitchell, who ranks 10th in NCAA Division II averaging 139.3 rushing yards per game.
- Aldridge-Mitchell has accounted for 80 percent of WT's rushing yardage this season going for 557 yards on 91 carries with eight touchdowns.
- Sophomore Ethan Brinkley has started the last three games at quarterback completing 68-of-101 passes for 674 yards and five touchdowns for an average of 224.7 yards per game.
- WT relies on a trio of receivers in senior Jarrian Rhone (24 rec., 175 yds.), senior Word Hudson (21 rec., 255 yds.) and senior Xavier Amey (13 rec., 180 yds.).
- Sophomore linebacker Trevor Myklebust paces the West Texas A&M defense with 55 tackles including five stops for loss.
- Sophomore Hunter Streuling (2 ints.) and junior Devontae Merriweather (3 ints.) lead a secondary that has produced eight interceptions.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES
- Midwestern State meets West Texas A&M for the 29th time on the gridiron Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
- West Texas A&M leads the series which dates back to the 1947 season by a 16-12 margin.
- The Buffs have fared well at Memorial Stadium winning 10 of the 14 games played against MSU in Wichita Falls.
- Midwestern is 6-7 against West Texas A&M during the Bill Maskill era (since 2002).
- The Mustangs won six straight over WT from 1999-04 and took three of four versus the Buffs from 2009-12.
 
ABOUT BILL MASKILL
- Bill Maskill is in his 16th season as a head coach and 14th campaign at Midwestern State.
- Maskill has led the Mustangs to winning ledgers in each of his years at the helm of the program including the school's first Lone Star Conference championship in 2009 and first undefeated regular season in 2011.
- Under Maskill's guidance, MSU has advanced to the NCAA Division II postseason in the 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012 seasons while amassing a 106-41 record (.721).  He was named LSC Coach of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2012, and was the AFCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2011.
- In all, Maskill has coached 16 All-Americans (to some 54 mentions), 59 all-region selections and 67 All-Lone Star Conference first teamers in his 13 seasons in Wichita Falls.
- Maskill is starting his 47th year as a football coach. His coaching experience includes stops as a Division I assistant at Vanderbilt (twice), Southern Methodist, Wake Forest, Oregon, Tulane, Louisville, Arizona State, Bowling Green and Iowa.
- Maskill has a 119-49 overall record (.708) and led Southeast Missouri State to a 1988 MIAA co-championship.
 
MILITARY APPRECIATION
- Midwestern State honors the service men and women from Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls and Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
- Members from each of the four branches of the military including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will participate in a halftime celebration.
- The event is in its 13th year with the largest crowd of 13,025 seeing a Midwestern State vs. West Texas A&M on Oct. 6, 2007.
- The Mustangs have won the last seven games played on Military Appreciation Day dating back to a loss to West Texas A&M in 2007.
 
MASTERFUL AT MEMORIAL
- Since Bill Maskill took over the reins of the MSU football program in 2002, the Mustangs have compiled a 57-13 record at Memorial Stadium - good for an impressive .814 winning percentage.
- MSU has a 91-50 overall record in its 26th season playing home contests at Memorial Stadium.
- The Mustangs are 64-15 (.810) at home since 2000.
- MSU has won 28 of its last 31 regular season games at Memorial Stadium dating back to the 2008 season.
 
MSU SURGES TO 12TH IN AFCA POLL
- Midwestern State moved ahead eight spots to No. 12 in the AFCA Division II Top 25.
- The ranking is the highest since the Mustangs were ranked No. 8 on Nov. 12, 2012.
- The Mustangs have received mention in at least one poll in each season dating back to 2006 and have received a national ranking for at least one reporting period in each of the last seven season (since 2009).
- The Mustangs received a vote on at least one ballot in 105 of 107 reporting periods dating from the 2006 season to the end of the 2014 campaign including 47 straight periods from 2011-14.
- Super Region boasts half of the teams in the first 16 including No. 4 Ferris State (Mich.), No. 7 Colorado State-Pueblo, No. 8 Colorado Mines, No. 9 Ashland (Ohio), No. 12 MSU, No. 14 Michigan Tech, No. 15 Texas A&M-Commerce and No. 16 Angelo State while Grand Valley State is 24th.
- Five of MSU's opponents are receiving including Colorado Mesa (RV/Sept. 12), Angelo State (No. 16/Oct. 3), West Texas A&M (RV/Oct. 10), Humboldt State (No. 11/Oct. 17) and Texas A&M-Commerce (No. 15/Oct. 24).
- The Mustangs spent four weeks in the Top 25 in 2014 topping out at No. 16 on Sept. 29.
 
A QUICK LOOK BACK
- Midwestern State improved to 5-0 for the fifth time in the Bill Maskill era (since 2002) and for the first time since 2011 with a 29-20 win at Angelo State.
- The Mustangs are now 8-1 against nationally ranked teams since the start of the 2011 campaign during regular season play.
- The Mustangs scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams for the third time since bringing back football in 1988 and for the first time since beating East Central (Okla.) 36-5 on Sept. 11, 1999.
- Midwestern controlled a +3 edge in turnover margin scoring 12 points off of the Angelo State miscues.
- MSU held NCAA Division II's top-ranked attack to 105 yards under its average.
 
MUSTANGS STREAKING
- Midwestern State is riding its 13th winning streak of at least five games after scoring a 29-20 win at No. 6-ranked Angelo State.
- The Mustangs have posted nine winning streaks of at least five games since the start of the Bill Maskill era in 2002.
- With a win over Buffs, the Mustangs will start a season with six consecutive victories for the second time during the Maskill era and for the first time since winning 10 straight in 2011.
- Midwestern State also started 5-0 in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011 but broke through with a win in the sixth game on one occasion.
- With a win, MSU would win six straight games for the first time since reeling off seven consecutive victories from Sept. 21-Nov. 2, 2013.
 
SCORING IN ALL PHASES
- Midwestern State has accounted for a score on special teams or defense in three of five games this season.
- The Mustangs scored touchdowns in all three phases (offense, defense, special teams) in a 29-20 win at No. 6 Angelo State on Oct. 3 for the first time since 1999.
- Senior linebacker Calvin Stewart fell on the ball in the end zone after Eric Olson stripped ASU running back Trey Green in the first quarter then redshirt-freshman Sir'Vell Ford raced 12 yards for a score after Michael Gerst blocked an ASU punt late in the third quarter.
- The last time MSU scored in all three phases came in a 36-5 win over East Central on Sept. 11, 1999 as Kenneth Banks accounted for a 63-yard interception return for a TD and All-American Dominic Rhodes raced 54 yards on a punt return.
- It was just the third time since 1988 that MSU scored touchdowns in all three phases with the other coming on Nov. 11, 1995 in a 63-7 win over Southwestern (Kan.) as the Indians had two defensive scores by Mike McLaughlin (34-yard fumble return) and Ricky Weaver (38-yard interception return) while Michael McDonald scored on a 75-yard kickoff return.
 
OFFENSIVE TEAM NOTES
- Midwestern State accounted for 231 of its 374 yards of total offense in the second half including 148 yards on 28 carries.
- The Mustangs controlled the clock for 20:25 of the second half to seal the victory.
- Junior quarterback Quade Coward carried the ball three times for 51 yards on MSU's eight-play, 93-yard drive in the third quarter resulting in a 24-yard strike from Coward to Statron Jones to tie the game at 13-13.
- Jones led the team with seven catches for 62 yards including the 24-yard TD strike.
- Coward connected on 13-of-27 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a team-high 63 yards in relief of sophomore quarterback Hagen Hutchinson, who exited due to injury in the first quarter.
MIDWESTERN ROASTS TEXANS' DEFENSE
- The Mustangs erupted for 676 yards of total offense in a 63-46 win over Tarleton State on Sept. 26. It was the fifth largest output in program history and the most yards ever hung on a Tarleton State defense.
- The Mustangs have scored at least 60 points in a single game in each of the last five seasons.
- Sophomore quarterback Hagen Hutchinson accounted for 320 yards of total offense completing 19-of-30 passes for 251 while rushing for a team-best 69 yards with three touchdowns.
- Hutchinson accounted for each of MSU's first six touchdowns.
- It was the first time an MSU player had accounted for 300 yards of total offense since Brandon Kelsey amassed 348 yards at West Texas A&M on Nov. 3, 2012.
- Senior wideout Ryan Hyman accounted for a season-high 103 yards on eight receptions. It was the first-team an MSU receiver accounted for 100 yards since Statron Jones had 132 yards on six catches against Angelo State on Oct. 4, 2014.
- Five different MSU's rushers accounted for at least 49 yards.
MSU ROLLS OVER GREYHOUNDS
- Midwestern State rolled up a then season-high 400 yards in total offense in a 28-24 win over Eastern New Mexico in the Lone Star Football Festival at AT&T Stadium (9/19).
- Junior quarterback Quade Coward engineered a game-winning 13-play, 90-yard drive in 2:42 and scored the winning touchdown with 21 seconds remaining against Eastern New Mexico.
- True freshman running back Vincent Johnson rushed for a career-best 83 yards including a 9-yard TD run in the second quarter to pace MSU's season-best team total of 193 yards.
- Vincent's 9-yard touchdown burst in the second quarter was MSU's first rushing touchdown scored by a running back this season.
- Coward came on in relief of starter Hagen Hutchinson to complete 12-of-29 passes for 132 yards while rushing for 43 yards on nine carries with a touchdown.
- Senior wide receiver Arsenio Phillips set career highs with seven receptions for 84 yards including a 49-yard TD reception on a halfback pass from Hutchinson in the third quarter.
- Senior wide receiver Terrence Smith also set career bests with six catches for 85 yards against the Greyhounds.
HISTORIC NOTABLES VS. COLORADO MESA
- MSU failed to account for an offensive touchdown for just the fifth time in the Bill Maskill era (since 2002) in a 16-13 overtime win over Colorado Mesa on Sept. 12. MSU didn't score an offensive touchdown previously in a 2008 game against Northeastern State (W. 7-3), in the 2006 playoffs against Northwest Missouri State (L, 27-0) and twice in the 2004 season (Tarleton State (L, 19-3) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (L, 27-3)).
- The Mustangs failed to account for a rushing touchdown against Colorado Mesa (9/12) for the first time since falling 27-24 to Tarleton State in the 2013 season opener at AT&T Stadium.
RED ZONE / TENDENCIES
- MSU has scored on 17-of-20 trips to the Red Zone including touchdowns on 11 of those possessions.
- The Mustangs scored on seven consecutive trips to the Red Zone against Eastern New Mexico and Tarleton State before being limited to a pair of field goals against Angelo State.
- Midwestern's play call tendencies are 55.9 percent run and 44.1 percent passing.
- The passing game has produced 51.6 percent of MSU's offensive production.
 
DEFENSIVE TEAM NOTES
- Midwestern State boasts one of the top defensive units in the Lone Star Conference ranking 51st nationally in scoring defense (21.2 ppg) and 83rd in total defense (376.8 ypg).
- MSU ranks second in the LSC in scoring defense (21.2), third in total defense (376.8 ypg) and third in passing yards allowed (217.4 ypg).
- The Mustangs have forced 13 turnovers (8 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions) which have netted 40 points.
- Midwestern held its first three opponents under 200 yards passing.
MUSTANGS FRUSTRATE ANGELO STATE
- Midwestern State held the Rams to 482 yards of total offense which was more than 100 yards under their season average as ASU led NCAA Division II piling up 586.8 yards per game.
- The Mustangs produced four turnovers including interceptions by linebackers Adam Hill and Calvin Stewart and fumble recoveries by Stewart and Sir'Vell Ford.
- The Mustangs limited the Rams to 292 yards of total offense over the last three quarter after surrendering 190 through the first stanza.
TARLETON'S LATE SURGE SPOILS DAY
- The Mustangs limited Tarleton's 19th-ranked offense to 141 total yards over its first nine possessions while building a 49-17 lead with 4:03 to play in the third quarter (9/26).
- The Texans rolled up 414 yards over their final six possessions against the MSU reserves.
- The Mustangs made seven tackles for loss including sacks by Herb Whitehurst, Tyler Massey and Eric Olson.
MUSTANGS STIFLE EASTERN NEW MEXICO
- The Mustangs limited Eastern New Mexico's third-ranked rushing attack to less than half of its season average holding the 'Hounds to 179 rushing yards on 58 attempts (3.1 ypc). ENMU came in averaging 362.5 rushing yards per game.
- Eleven different MSU players recorded at least five tackles against the Greyhounds including career highs by Calvin Steward (9), Emerson Evans (9), Deneldric Hudgens (7) and Darian Childers (6).
- Senior safety Marqui Christian earned Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season after finishing with a team-high 13 tackles against ENMU.
MSU MAKES MESA WORK FOR EVERY INCH
- Midwestern State limited Colorado Mesa to 4.0 yards per play as the Mavericks used 91 plays to churn out 362 yards of total offense.
- Senior linebacker Daniel Laudermilk finished with a career-high 18 tackles including 2.5 for loss.
- Senior safety Marqui Christian made nine tackles with a sack and a forced fumble.
- Senior cornerback Dominique Rouse made a key interception in the overtime period allowing MSU to win the game in overtime.
- Junior linebacker Adam Hill made eight tackles and made interception in the first quarter.
- Senior safety Tari Jones accounted for the lone touchdown of the game scooping and scoring on a bad punt snap midway through the second quarter.
MUSTANGS DOMINANT IN SEASON OPENER
- Midwestern State allowed the sixth fewest yards in NCAA Division II (171.0) in a season opening win over Truman State.
- Nine different players were in on seven tackles for loss while seven players recorded a pass breakup.
- Senior safety Marqui Christian recorded his 12th career game with at least 10 tackles finishing with a team-high 11 stops.
- Redshirt-freshman linebacker Drew Bolin made eight tackles in his MSU debut.
- Junior linebacker LaFrontae Conkleton jumped a slant route for his first collegiate interception in his first defensive appearance as a converted running back.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
- Midwestern State ranks 8th in NCAA Division II with four blocked kicks over the first five weeks of the season.
- Junior defensive end Kerry Holiday was credited with a block against Truman State (9/5), junior defensive lineman Robert Kitchen got one at Colorado Mesa (9/12) and Cameron Drummond blocked a field goal against Eastern New Mexico (9/19).
- Senior Michael Gerst broke free through the middle of the formation for a blocked punt against Angelo State allowing Sir'Vell Ford to scoop and score a touchdown from 12 yards out in the final minute of the third quarter.
- Senior safety Tari Jones accounted for MSU's lone touchdown at Colorado Mesa on Sept. 12 scooping a fumbled punt snap and racing 30 yards for a TD. It was MSU's first fumble returned for a touchdown since Taiyon Jackson returned on 90 yards for a score at Angelo State on Oct. 26, 2013.