The No. 14 Midwestern State Mustangs continued their onslaught of the Lone Star Conference Saturday as they rolled over the Incarnate Word Cardinals 34-7.
Both teams traded scores in the first quarter, but the Mustangs’ defense held tough and kept the Cardinals offense from scoring for the remainder of the game.
The offense continued scoring to bring on the points.
The Mustangs’ defense gave up 148 yards to the Cardinals running game, but their defense against the passing game significantly improved since their last victory against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Incarnate Word gained only 146 yards and one touchdown with their passing game, while the Mustangs came up with five combined sacks over both Incarnate Word quarterbacks.
Elijah Winston and Neiko Conway led the defensive slaughter of the Cardinals.
Winston had six total tackles with four for a loss and three sacks, while Conway again came up with an interception for the Mustangs.
While the Mustangs dominated the scoreboard, their offensive output was shortened due to a tough Cardinals’ defense that forced a 1-for-9 third-down conversion rate for MSU.
The Mustangs chalked up 423 offensive yards, with a 6.4 yards per play average to counteract the Cardinals.
The running game was again the catalyst to the Mustangs’ victory, with 260 yards coming on the ground.
Keidrick Jackson made up most of the groundwork for the Mustangs, totaling 173 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.
Quarterback Brandon Kelsey also got in on the run action, taking 10 snaps for 66 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown rush to get the Mustangs on the board first in the opening quarter.
Kelsey also completed 11 of his 20 passes for 163 yards, including a fourth quarter 23-yard touchdown pass to Joe Sanders (4 receptions, 55 yards).
The Cardinals’ defense was tough on MSU’s passing game as well, sacking Kelsey twice and picking off one of his passes.
Another bright spot for the Mustangs was the performance of kicker Greg Saladino.
Saladino scored two field goals for the Mustangs, a 47-yard conversion in the second quarter.
He also scored a 30-yard conversion in the third that helped extend the Mustangs lead.
The Mustangs now sit at 3-1 while Incarnate Word falls to 1-4.
MSU’s next game will be Thursday, as they travel to Livingston, AL to take on West Alabama.