SILVER CITY, N.M. – Homecoming was electric at Ben Altamirano Field after Western New Mexico University's football team defeated Midwestern State in 30-27 in an overtime thriller. The (3-2) Mustangs have the best start to a season since 2012.
"I am so proud of this team," said Head Coach Philip Vigil. "It wasn't perfect but we fought to the end."
Jamon Chambers (Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) led the team with six catches for 60 yards. Allen Ortiz (Lakewood, CO/Green Mountain HS) had two touchdowns with three catches for 40 yards. Dejonte Thomas (Carson, CA/Carson HS) led the team with reception yards, totaling 90 with two catches.
"Our message this week was spot the ball. With the lightning delay and all the penalties, it didn't knock us because all we cared about was spotting the ball!" said Vigil.
The defense made several stops including a stop on the one yard line to get the ball back. The pass protection was great keeping MSU under 120 passing yards.
Maurice Smith () pounded the rock with 14 rushes on 42 yards, and the game winning touchdown.
The Mustangs Quarterback Devin Larsen (Gilbert, AZ/Queen Creek HS) passed for 359 yards, completing 22 of 39 attempts, and three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Kaleb Gutierrez (El Paso, TX/Franklin HS) led the defense in tackles with nine, with Clavon Caine (Long Beach, CA/Lakewood HS) totaling eight, and David Melendez (Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces HS) and Tylen Coleman (Maricopa, AZ/Maricopa HS) totaling six tackles. Melendez led the Mustangs with two sacks. The Mustangs defense totaled seven quarterback hurries, one of them resulting in a Quentron Gallow (Crowley, LA/Crowley HS) interception.
MSU struck first after Treyton Kennedy had a 18 yard rush for a touchdown.
WNMU responded right back with Larsen connecting with Ortiz for 12 yards. Adrian Zamudio (New Waverly, TX/New Waverly HS) would later kick a field goal fiving WNMU a 10-7 lead.
With 11:33 left in the second quarter, lightning struck and out the game in a 45 minute lightning delay.
Once coming back, MSU grabbed the momentum back and scored a touchdown. Dillon Sterling-Cole found Kylan Harrison for an 11 yard touchdown. MSU led 14-10.
Answering right back, Larsen passed to Jeremy Cooper (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS) for 54 yards and the touchdown. WNMU retook the lead 17-14.
The Mustangs were threatening to go up two scores at the end of the first half but Larsen threw an interception on the five yard line.
In the third quarter, MSU's Kennedy rushed for his second touchdown of the game after a 27 yard rush. MSU led 21-17.
In the fourth quarter, Larsen connected with Ortiz for the second time of the game. The 15 yard catch gave WNMU a 24-21 lead.
After a pair of interceptions for both teams, MSU got into field goal position and knocked it down to tie the game at 24-24.
Regulation would go into overtime. The Mustangs won the toss and elected to go on defense first.
MSU had to settle for a field goal. WNMU got the ball and a critical penalty put the Mustangs inside the 15 yard line. Maurice Smith () kept pounding the ball and ended up in the end zone giving WNMU a 30-27 win.
MSU's Quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole was 15-32 for 115 yards, and had one touchdown and one interception. On the ground, Devin Cross had 17 rushes for 110 yards. Kennedy had nine rushes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Kylan Harrison had four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown.
"We have a lot to clean up, but I am so proud of these coaches and players for fighting to the end!" said Vigil. These guys go into every game believing they can win, and a team that believes is hard to beat."
"These guys are breaking chains and moving this team into a new territoryand I truly believe our best football is yet to come" concluded Vigil.
The Mustangs will head to Texas A&M-Kingsville, next Saturday, at 6:00pm MDT. The game will also be streamed on the LSC Digital Network.
This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!
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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (Twitter & Instagram).
