Box Score GUNNISON, Colo. -- Junior quarterback
Sean Jastrab had the fifth-best passing game in program history, completing 30 of 51 passes for 395 yards, as Midwestern State rolled up 440 yards of total offense but fell to No. 15-ranked Western Colorado at the Mountaineer Bowl on Saturday night, 38-33.
The Mustangs opening drive of the game resulted in a fumble 34 seconds into the game, and set up Western Colorado for a 4-play, 22-yard touchdown drive as the Mountaineers took an early 7-0 lead in their brand new stadium.
Midwestern State rebounded with an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended with
Joseph Carlson booting a 22-yard field goal.
Western Colorado quarterback Drew Nash scored on a 68-yard run, and the Mountaineers led the Mustangs 14-3 with 5:16 to play in the first quarter.
Midwestern State responded with a 9-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass to running back
Jalen March. MSU trailed 14-10 at the end of the first quarter.
The Mountaineers continued the offensive onslaught with an 11-play drive that took more than five minutes off the clock. Nash threw a 9-yard touchdown pass the Braeden Hogan completing an 82-yard march down field.
Jaiden Burnett sparked the Mustangs with a 98-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff and a two-point conversion brought MSU to within a field goal, trailing 21-18 with 10:09 to play in the first half.
By halftime, the Mustangs claimed the lead.
Christian Olige scored his first of two touchdowns with a 1-yard run at the end of an 11-play, 62-yard drive. Midwestern State held the lead going into the locker room, 24-21.
A long scoring drive and a 79-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Mountaineers 35-24 lead in the opening five minutes of the third quarter. Adam Tasei kicked a 17-yard field goal with 5:15 to play in the third quarter, and Western Colorado took a 38-24 lead over the Mustangs.
Carlson's second field goal of the game from 49 yards out came in the final minute of the third quarter, and MSU entered the fourth quarter trailing 38-27.
The Mustangs shutout the Mountaineers in the fourth quarter and a 55-yard pass completion to Demonte Green setup a 6-yard touchdown run for Olige. A two-point conversion failed and with 4:46 remaining in the game, MSU faced a five-point deficit.
An ineligible man downfield penalty kept Western Colorado from driving more than seven yards in four plays, and a 13-yard return by Greene of a 39-yard punt gave the Mustangs good field position with 2:46 remaining in the game.
A 10-yard run by Olige and a string of short completions helped Midwestern State move 29 yards to the Western Colorado 29-yard line, but the Mustangs failed to convert on 4th and 14, and WCU successfully ran out the clock to win its first game of the season.
Midwestern State fell to 1-1 after two non-conference games.
Arabia Bradford had six receptions for 79 yards and led a group of 12 Mustangs that caught passes from Jastrab, who had the most passing yards by an MSU quarterback since Layton Rabb threw for a program record 467 yards against Angelo State in a 57-36 victory back in 2018.
The Mustangs were held to 45 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Nash led Western Colorado on 24 of 37 passing for 289 yards and rushed for a game-high 75 yards.
Midwestern State opens conference play on the road at Eastern New Mexico on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. following an off week.
