WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State displayed great potential in Saturday afternoon's spring opening win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
 
A tremendous effort over the game's first three quarters was too much for the Javelinas to overcome, but the Mustangs needed to hold on for a 45-34 victory.
 
"There are some good things that going on out there," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "We want to capitalize on those good things, but not allow them to get back in the game like they did."
 
Yes, Midwestern State had plenty of highlights.
 
Senior quarterback Derrick Ponder, a transfer from Jackson State, connected on 24-of-37 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns in his Maroon & Gold debut.
 
"He's able to sit in the pocket and find his options. He's got a good vision of the field," Maskill said. "We caught the ball the very well, but we need to run the ball better. Otherwise, we'll have to throw the ball every down and they will be able to tee off on us."
 
Staying with the positive, the Mustangs definitely caught the ball well.
 
Junior receiver Kylan Harrison caught five passes for 130 yards including a 65-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter and a 28-yard score in the third.
 
Redshirt-freshman Ja'Marzeyea Arvie caught eight passes for 92 yards including a 25-yard dash and stretch into the end zone right before halftime.
 
Another redshirt-freshman -- Ja'Juan Mason -- would have topped the century mark had his 55-yard diving grab in the end zone not been nullified with a holding penalty. The Allen High graduate settled for 35 yards on four receptions.
 
"We're hurting ourselves. We stopped ourselves twice," Maskill said. "The mistakes we are making are the ones that are hurting us. We need to develop a mentality that when we do make the mistake, we need to come back and overcome what we did for ourselves."
 
Junior running back K'Vonte Jackson paced the rushing attack with 52 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns, but Texas A&M-Kingsville limited the Mustangs to a combined 69 rushing yards.
 
The Midwestern State defensive units did turn the Javelinas into a one-dimensional machine limiting the Hoggies to 58 rushing yards.
 
When Texas A&M-Kingsville went to the air, it went with peril.
 
Zadock Dinkleman needed 47 attempts to throw for 316 yards and two touchdowns, but he was also sacked four times and hurried on nine occasions. The Mustangs also took the ball away three times.
 
Senior Jovane Parkinson returned an interceptions 55 yards for a touchdown to put the game away in the fourth quarter, while senior Malik Sonnier and junior Lance Hardman also snared oskies.
 
Junior defensive lineman Zed Asowata recorded 2.5 sacks, while Konner Jones-Searcy had one and Nathaniel Nicolas was in on another.
 
Redshirt-freshman Tre' Owens led the unit with eight tackles and recovered a fumble.
 
Midwestern State rolled out to a 38-13 lead through three quarters before the Hoggies rallied for 21 points in the final stanza to close the margin to 11 points.
 
The Mustangs return to action against Tarleton State on Saturday, March 20 in Stephenville. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.