MSU’s Homecoming game against UT Permian Basin on Oct. 29 proved to be a chance of redemption for many of the players following the 35-27 loss to West Texas A&M on Oct. 22,the team’s first and only loss of the season.
“It’s a lot better feeling than last week. We really came focused and ready to play and we started really fast. It was a great win for us. We needed that,” Tanner Graeber, punter, said.
The loss against West Texas seemed to be the current that was fueling players’ resolve.
“It was a great game, great feeling. Everyone was so hype about this game especially after coming off of last week. We just can’t wait to get out here and execute,” Jaron Imbriani, kicker, said.
The Mustangs scored six touchdowns in the first quarter, eight touchdowns by half-time, and 11 touchdowns by the end of the game.
“This is the fastest we’ve started all year. We scored on almost every drive and I give nothing but thanks to all my teammates and I love these boys,” Nicholas Gabriel, running back, said.
Though slowing down in scores in the second half of the game, dedication did not seem to fade. At 1:41 on the clock in the fourth quarter, UT Permian Basin scored a touchdown and with 1:20 left on the clock, MSU responded with their eleventh and final touchdown of the game, making the final score 76-21.
“At first, the mission was to go in. We knew what we had to do and we knew how we should handle it. Basically, they wanted us to start fast and that’s what we did. Halftime, we’ve been up before and when we came out we kind of like blew it versus Angelo when it came back on us so we knew we couldn’t let that happen again,” Reggie Gipson II, running back, said after the game.
The win over UT Permian Basin evoked optimism towards the rest of the season for many players, the drive towards the playoffs alive and strong.
“It was a great game. I think everyone pitched in. It was a great team effort. I think it was good to see a lot of guys come in that haven’t had a lot of playing time, come in and execute the way they did. I think it is just a testament to this team’s fortitude to come back after losing last week and to just keep it going and we just got to keep this momentum carrying into the next two weeks and into the playoffs,” Quade Coward, quarterback, said.
Only two games left before the playoffs, MSU will play Tarleton State on Nov. 5 and will have their last home game against Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 12.
