WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Midwestern State sophomore Hagen Hutchinson accounted for three touchdowns in his first collegiate start to lead the Mustangs to a 31-3 win over Truman State Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

The Stamford native completed 18-of-26 passes for 183 yards including scoring strikes to Arsenio Phillips (13) and Statron Jones (20) as MSU rolled out to a 17-3 halftime lead.

Hutchinson's efforts made a quality defense effort stand as the Mustangs limited Truman State to 171 yards of total offense ceding only a 21-yard field goal with three minutes to go in the first half.

Senior safety Marqui Christian led the way with 11 tackles, while redshirt-freshman linebacker Drew Bolin added eight tackles of his own. Nine different players were in on seven tackles for loss while converted linebacker LaFrontae Conkleton had his first collegiate interception after spending his first two seasons at running back.

The Mustangs used a short field on consecutive short punts in the opening quarter.

Hutchinson hit Phillips on a 13-yard out pattern to cap a 4-play 19-yard drive for a 7-0 lead at the 10:27 mark of the first quarter, then Hutchinson connected with Jones on a 20-yard strike to finish a 4-play, 43-yard effort for a 14-0 lead 7 1/2 minutes into the contest.

The Mustangs pushed the advantage to 17-0 on a successful 31-yard field goal by Andy Alkhazshvilly at the end of the first quarter, but wouldn't find the end zone again until early in the fourth quarter.

Even then, it was Hutchinson doing the honors by polishing off a 16-play, 80-yard drive covering 6:47 by scoring on a 2-yard keeper around the right end to push the lead to 24-3 with 14:15 to play.

Reserve quarterback Quade Coward sprinted in on a 2-yard keeper of his own after Conkleton allowed the Mustangs to setup shop at the Truman 28-yard line with his first collegiate interception.

Freshman Vincent Johnson paced MSU's ground game with 49 yards on 10 carries, while Jones finished with seven receptions for 86 and a touchdown.

Midwestern State hits the road to face Colorado Mesa Saturday night at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Central Time.