WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- No. 20 Midwestern State needed a spark Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
 
And the Mustangs got all they needed in a period of two plays early in the quarter on the way to a 30-13 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
MSU senior Khalil Finley picked off Hoggie pass one play after the Javelinas thwarted the Mustangs inside the Red Zone for the first time this season. Then the MSU offensive line won a rugby scrum by pushing senior running back Trenton Kennedy for a 13-yard gain to set up first-and-goal.
 
"That was a huge momentum play," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "That really got us going in the second half."
 
Kennedy finished off the drive with a 3-yard scoring plunge on the next, but Ritse Vaes' extra-point try was blocked to keep the game tied at 13-13.
 
The Mustangs continued momentum with a dominating 16-play, 97-yard drive which was also polished off Kennedy with a 1-yard run to stake MSU to a 20-13 lead with 1:00 to play in the third quarter.
 
The Midwestern State defense limited the Javelinas to 64 yards of total offense in the second half despite finishing with a season low six tackles for loss, but produced three turnovers on interceptions by Finley, Dylon Davis and Tre Owens.
 
The Mustangs extended the lead with a final touchdown with a 3-yard run from Sterling-Cole to culminate a nine-play, 35-yard drive to push the edge to 27-13 with 11:06 to play.
 
Freshman Ritse Vaes added a 38-yard field goal later in the half.
 
Kennedy paced the ground game with 91 yards on 17 carries, while Sterling-Cole threw for 235 yards on 21-of-33 passing.
 
Senior Kylan Harrison caught four passes for 58 yards, while Ja'Marzeyea Arvie logged six receptions for 52 yards. Kandin Robertson made three receptions for 46 yards including a 19-yard TD reception.
 
Lance Hardman led the defense with six tackles, while Rigoberto Carrillo had five stops.
 
Midwestern State enjoys and off week before taking on Tarleton State on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.