By Josh Hoggard
The Mustangs took a close one on Saturday to end the regular season undefeated for the first time in school history.
Midwestern State played Northeastern State, and came from behind to score with 36 seconds left on the clock in a 37-34 victory.
The Mustangs continued their string of record breaking this week.
Only twice have the Mustangs won ten games in a season; once in 1949 and once in 2006.
However, they have never made it through an entire season without losing a single game, making this so far the most successful season in MSU history.
Furthermore, the Mustangs crushed the old school record of most points scored in a single season. The previous record was 489 set in 2007. This year, the Mustangs scored 504 points.
Sophomore kicker Greg Saladino set a new school record for longest field goal with is 57-yard monster he kicked Saturday afternoon. The previous record was 51 yards.
Running back Kiedrick Jackson had another impressive game, rushing 14 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Those two touchdowns put Jackson in the ranks with some other greats of MSU past.
The two touchdowns Jackson scored on Saturday bring his total for the season to 18, tied for second best with former running back Dominic Rhodes.
Those touchdowns also put him at 100 points for the season. That’s nearly a fifth of the entire teams points this season, and third place on the all time list, only preceded by the aforementioned Dominic Rhodes and Daniel Polk.
The typical nearly 500 yards total offense and nearly 300 yards rushing attack continued yet again for the Mustangs, as they put up a total of 478 yards of offense, 294 of it coming on the ground.
Although quarterback Brandon Kelsey didn’t look as sharp through they air, throwing four interceptions and only 184 yards, he got it done on the ground, rushing 15 times for 122 yards and a touchdown.
And, he’s still a top candidate for the Harlon Hill trophy, the Division II version of the Heisman.
The Mustangs had to win in an atypical way on Saturday; from behind.
Northeastern State led off the scoring with a field goal in the first quarter for the early lead.
The Mustangs came marching back, however, when Brandon Kelsey burst through for a 62 yard touchdown run, giving the Mustangs their first lead of the game.
Before the first quarter would close, however, the RiverHawks would put up another field goal, making it 7-6 after one.
However, in the second quarter, Greg Saladino hit his grand slam of a field goal, a 57-yarder to put the Mustangs up by four.
Then, just over a minute later after a three-and-out by the RiverHawks, Jimmy Pipkin ran one in from 41 yards out to put the Mustangs up 17-6.
Each team would score again before the half, bringing the score to 23-13 at halftime.
Just under ten minutes into the third quarter, NSU scored again, bringing it close, 23-20.
The Mustangs would answer, however, on a 32-yard run by Jackson to bring the count to 30-20, a score that would stand until seven minutes into the fourth quarter.
Then, things got more interesting for the players.
Within exactly two minutes of each other, the RiverHawks scored twice to take their first lead of the game since the first quarter and put the pressure on the Mustangs, 34-30.
In an attempt to answer, the Mustangs went to the air.
With little over four minutes left in the game, on the ensuing drive, Brandon Kelsey was intercepted by the RiverHawks.
The RiverHawks began driving. They were rushing, gaining first downs, and running out the clock. All hope seemed lost.
Then, the Mustangs defense forced the biggest turnover of their season.
On first down with 2:35 left to play, NSU ran the ball. Kevin Birdow forced a fumble that was eventually recovered by Tim McGill in Mustang territory.
The Mustangs had life again, and drove 76 yards in 19 plays and 1:53 to score the game winning touchdown on a Kiedrick Jackson 6-yard rush.
After forcing a fourth-down turnover on downs, the Mustangs walked away with the win and the first perfect regular season in school history.
The Mustangs also moved up to No. 2 in the AFCA polls, receiving 11 first-place votes.
Who’s ready for some post-season action?!
The Mustangs received a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Missouri Western – Northwest Missouri State game at Memorial Stadium on November 26th.