WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Midwestern State's late charge came up short in a 27-21 loss to Texas A&M in the season finale Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
The Mustangs, who finished the season at 4-6 overall and 3-5 in Lone Star Conference play, took advantage of a pair of big plays to rally from an early two-touchdown deficit.
MSU quarterback
James Cooper, Jr. used play action to find
Kelby Hickerson wide open over the middle for the Mustangs' first touchdown at the end of the first quarter.
Hickerson, a sophomore tight end from Austin, hauled in the pass and rambled 76 yards for the touchdown to narrow Texas A&M-Kingsville's advantage to 14-7.
The Javelinas used a hot start to score two touchdowns in the first quarter.
Christian Anderson polished off a four-play, 42-yard drive with a 4-yard TD run at the 9:46 mark of the first quarter, then Wade Freeman III hit Nate Dantley for a 71-yard scoring strike on an out route to give the Hoggies a 14-0 lead with 2:30 remaining in the first quarter.
Dantley would finish the game with five receptions for 128 yards to lead the Javelina attack.
But the Mustangs took advantage of a muffed punt early in the second quarter to take over possession at the TAMUK 1-yard line allowing MSU to level the game at 14-14 on a tush push play allowing Cooper to rush for a touchdown with 10:59 remaining in the opening half.
Texas A&M-Kingsville responded with a pair of Dylan Bredeson field goals from 40 and 42 yards out before cashing in on an MSU turnover on a kickoff return.
Roger Hagan took a direct snap up the middle to push Texas A&M-Kingsville lead to 27-14 heading into the fourth quarter.
Midwestern State back-up signal caller Zack Keen completed 5-of-6 passes for 55 yards culminating in a 2-yard out-route to
Justin White, Jr. to pull the Mustangs to within 27-21 win 1:02 to play.
But Dantley recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt allowing the Javelinas to seal the victory.
MSU senior
Maurice Perkins led MSU's defensive effort with 10 tackles including 1 1/2 tops for loss, while senior
Khristian Lee recorded 2 1/2 stops for loss with 1 1/2 sacks.
Texas A&M-Kingsville closes the regular season with a 7-3 record.
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-- MSUMustangs.com --
