WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- No. 15 Midwestern State survived three turnovers and a determined comeback effort to stave off Eastern New Mexico 31-24 in overtime Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

"We played down their level," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "When we play down and they play up, that's prime for an upset and that's exactly what happened. They could have easily won this ball game."

MSU senior quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole appeared ready to make a break for the end zone, then slammed on the brakes to hit Kylan Harrison cutting free across the middle for a 10-yard touchdown in overtime to provide the different for the Mustangs.

But that was only after Eastern New Mexico scored 24 consecutive points in the second half to force the extra period fueled by three Nathan Valencia -to-Zachery Fields touchdown hookups -- all in the fourth quarter. Ironically, MSU hadn't allowed a single point during the final stanza in the previous three weeks.

Then ENMU's Cooper Hamilton connected on a 38-yard field goal with two seconds left in regulation.

"I don't think anyone is happy about the win," Maskill said. "I don't think the players or the coaches are. We didn't do enough for the fans. We weren't the team that we've been the last three weeks."

The Mustangs were exactly the opposite in wins over Quincy, No. 7 Texas A&M-Commerce and No. 17 Angelo State. MSU dominated the second half in each game to put away the victory.

But Midwestern put up big plays on both sides of the ball against Eastern New Mexico.

Sterling-Cole connected with Harrison for an 80-yard score on a wide receiver screen in the first quarter, then hit K'Vonte Jackson on a 73-yard swing pass after Eastern New Mexico took its only lead of the game in the fourth.

Meanwhile, the defense put up 14 tackles for loss and pressured ENMU quarterback into four sacks and hurried him seven other times.

"We made plays when we had to, but we didn't make them throughout the game," Maskill said. "Right now, our biggest hurdle is us."

Sterling-Cole finished with 300 yards on 19-of-34 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions, while freshman Jalen March paced the ground attack with 73 yards on 12 carries. Overall, the Mustangs rushed averaged 3.7 yards per carry and netted 110 yards.

"If we don't get to running the ball better, we're in for a long season," Maskill said.

Harrison caught five passes for 116 yards with two touchdowns. He has now five touchdowns in four games.

Sophomore Ja'Marzeyea Arvie added five catches for 61 yards, while Jackson had four catches for 92 yards including the 73-yard touchdown reception.

Joseph Conner paced the defense with nine tackles, while Melik Owens posted eight stops including three for loss and was in on a sack.

Senior defensive end Jaylon Abdul-Karim had five tackles including 2.5 stops for loss and three quarterback hurries.

Midwestern State hits the road to face Central Washington Saturday at Tomlinson Field in Ellensburg. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (Central Time).