WICHITA FALLS, Texas – The Central Washington football team (5-2, 5-0 LSC) travelled down to the Lone Star State for the first time this season and defeated the Midwestern State Mustangs (2-4, 1-3 LSC) in a defensive battle Saturday night 10-7. 
 
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"I'm proud of our guys for pulling out a victoy on the road," CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said. "Midwestern State is a tough place to play. Hats off to MSU, they're a good team that's extremely well coached., I'm proud of the way our team showed a lot of resilience to comeback and win, playing defensive games like this isn't easy. We're all very excited for next week to be able to be home and welcome in our alumni as well as honor our seniors."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Mustangs opened the game receiving the ball and the Wildcat defense meant business from the start, forcing a three and out of the MSU offense. The Wildcats took over at their own 32-yard line where JJ Lemming immediately found Marcus Cook for a 14-yard gain. However, aside from a Kennedy McGill eight-yard toss to Cook, the Wildcats were forced to punt, not being able to find much on offense elsewhere. 
 
Both teams traded possessions that each lasted around two minutes. The Mustangs got the ball back and were driving down the field thanks to their powerful rushing attack, but as they got close to the Wildcat redzone, the Wildcat defense stiffened up and before you know it the Mustangs found themselves at fourth down and six to go at the Wildcat 26. MSU decided to attempt the 43-yard field goal but missed wide right keeping the game scoreless. The Wildcats would get a first down but an incomplete pass and a rush for a loss of three yards ended the first quarter. 
 
The Wildcats opened the second quarter with a bad snap that saw CWU lost 15-yards that would put them at fourth and 28 bringing Dan Stewart in to punt. The Wildcats would get the ball back with 5:33 left in the first half at the MSU 45-yard line after a botched punt by the MSU punter. Tre'jon Henderson would get things going, rushing for 20-yards on the first three plays of the drive before Lemming earned himself two yards. The Wildcats couldn't move the ball on third down putting them at fourth down and four to go at the MSU 23-yard line. Quinton Pacheco came on and converted the 40-yard field goal to put the first points on the board for either team, 3-0 CWU with 2:08 left in the first half. 
 
Determined not to have a halftime deficit the Mustangs found a rhythm on offense. A big 33-yard rush by MSU set them up at the CWU 13-yard line with only 1:15 remaining in the half. The Mustangs would take a timeout to set up a play, which paid off as on the ensuing play the quarterback connected with a receiver in the endzone for the touchdown. The kicker made the point after touchdown attempt to make it 7-3 in favor of Midwestern State with 1:04 left in the half. 
 
The Wildcats were moving the ball as Lemming found four different receivers for 38-yards on the drive setting the Wildcats up at the MSU 37-yard line, but the MSU defense would get an interception in the endzone giving the ball back to MSU to end the first half. 
 
CWU received the ball to start the second half and used the most of the opportunity. A rushing combination of Tyler Flanagan, Kennedy McGill, and Henderson as well as a 15-yard reception from DeMonte Horton saw the Wildcats at the MSU seven-yard line. Lemming found Darius Morrison in the endzone to give the 'Cats the lead again. Pacheco would convert the point after touchdown to put CWU up 10-7. 
 
The Mustangs would have the ball two more times in the third quarter finding their way into Wildcat territory, but the Wildcat defense would see huge plays from Isaac Clark and Dajshon Deams to help stuff the MSU offense and help keep the CWU lead. In between the Mustang possessions Henderson would work the MSU defense adding on 25-yards, but a sack by the defense and a penalty on CWU would force the 'Cats to punt. 
 
CWU received the ball to start the fourth quarter after an MSU punt. The Mustangs intercepted Lemming three plays into the quarter to set themselves up at the CWU 31-yard line. The Wildcat defense stood tough, and a quarterback hurry by Clark would allow Tanner Volk to get his eighth interception of the season, this one coming in the endzone. 
 
Both teams traded possessions with the Mustangs taking over on an interception at the MSU 46-yard line with 3:10 left to play. The Mustangs, hurrying to score before they ran out of time, found success in moving the ball, making it to the CWU 36-yard line. Tanner Volk stopped the MSU rusher for a loss of one yard putting MSU at third and seven at the CWU 37. The Mustangs would get two yards on the rush forcing them into a timeout with 1:15 left to play and in a fourth and five situation. CWU would take a timeout after not liking what MSU presented coming out of their timeout. The 'Stangs passed the ball near the endzone and couldn't connect with the receiver, giving the ball back to the 'Cats to seal the win. 
 
Lemming finished the game completing seven of his 13 passes for 76 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Henderson led the rushing attack for CWU putting up 87-yards while Flanagan added 63 of his own with McGill also contributing 43-yards. Horton finished with the most receiving yards with 27 while Cook and Morrison had 26 and 22, respectively with Morrison having the lone touchdown for the Wildcats on the night. 
 
Defensive captains Volk and Brett McCalla led the Wildcats in tackles with 14 and 11, respectively. Volk also added in one tackle for loss and one interception while McCalla had a 0.5 tackle for loss. Clark added eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry. Patrick Rogers finished with six tackles and a 0.5 tackle for loss while Brett Accimus and Josh Flowers each added five tackles. Josiah Cochran finished with the lone sack for CWU and four tackles, while Dajshon Deams had one tackle for loss and a pass breakup. 
 
Stewart had his work cut out for him tonight with six punts for 254 yards for an average of 42.3 yards per punt with one of them landing in the MSU 20-yard line. Pacheco converted his only field goal attempt at 40-yards, as well converting his only point after touchdown attempt. Pacheco also had three kickoffs for 173 yards for an average of 57.7 yards per kickoff. 
 
UP NEXT
 
The Wildcats head back to "the 'Burg" to welcome the West Texas A&M Buffaloes (3-4, 2-3 LSC) for a homecoming showdown at Tomlinson Stadium Saturday, October 21^st at 6:00 p.m.