Box Score ODESSA, TEXAS - The WNMU Football Team kicked of their 2024 season as they visited defending Lone Star Conference Champions and #21 ranked UTPB. The upset minded Mustangs would play the Falcons tough all evening but were unable to prevail, falling 41-3. 

Mustangs Quarterback Josh Magana (Dinuba, CA/Dinuba High School) completed 11 of 19 passing for 60 yards and was sacked four times.

Deuce Zimmerman (Anchorage, AK/East Anchorage High School) lead the Mustangs in receptions with two for 46 yards.  Lance Lawson (Mesa, AZ/) added three catches for nine yards.
 
Gabriel Levy (Tucson, AZ/Cienega High School) lead the Mustangs ground attack with seven carries for 26 yards. Jamon Chambers (Federal Way, WA/Stadium High School) added seven carries for 21 yards.
 
Leading the way for the Mustang defense was Cole Lalama (Queen Creek, AZ/Queen Creek High School), who had 11 total tackles, including eight solos. Ruben Gamboa (Calabasas, CA/Sierra Canyon High School) tallied nine total tackles. Preston Helu (Reno, NV/Ironwood Ridge High School) contributed with eight total tackles, five of those solos.
 
Zach Gordon (Lillington, NC/Rosewood High School) had WNMU's only points on the night, hitting a 40-yard field goal (FG) late in the first quarter.

"I'm very proud of our growth and the way that our guys battled tonight. That (UTPB) is an incredibly good football team that we just played, but we are not seeing the standard of play that we need to on a consistent basis." said Mustangs Head Coach Billy Hickman. "Our new guys and freshmen who are playing need to play with more intention and less worry. We are excited about our growth, and even more excited to fix tonight's short comings."
 
In the first quarter, both defenses would hold tough as the only points in the quarter came at the 7:14 mark, when UTPB'sAngel Diaz hit the 47-yard FG (WNMU 0 – UPTB 3). 
 
Score at the end of first quarter: WNMU 0 – UPTB 3
 
The second quarter was much like the first with both defense holding strong until UTPB quarterback Dylan Graham hit Jeremiah Cooley for 22-yard touchdown (TD) (WNMU 0 – UPTB 9). Gunnar Abseck would rush right for the two-point conversion (WNMU 0 – UPTB 11). The Mustangs would get their first points of the 2024 season when Zach Gordon (Lillington, NC/Rosewood High School) capped a 11 play 43-yard drive with a 40-yard FG that split the uprights (WNMU 3 – UPTB 11). Diaz would add his second FG of the night with a 32-yard FG for the Falcons (WNMU 3 – UPTB 14). 
 
Halftime: WNMU 3 – UPTB 14
 
In the third quarter, the Mustangs offense showed signs of life and defense would continue to battle, allowing the Falcons to score on two drives. The first being a Graham 83-yard pass to Ben Patterson for the long TD (WNMU 3 – UPTB 21).  Diaz would hit his third FG of the night with a 36-yard attempt (WNMU 3 – UPTB 24).
 
Score at the end of third quarter: WNMU 3 – UPTB 24
 
In the fourth quarter UTPB would take over. Diaz would hit his fourth FG of the night, hitting from 25-yards out (WNMU 3 – UPTB 27). Graham would add TD pass three, hitting Laquan Wells from 8 yards out (WNMU 3 – UPTB 33). Kory Harris would end the scoring for the night with a three-yard TD run for UTPB (WNMU 3 – UPTB 41).
 
Final: WNMU 3 – UPTB 41.

Week two will see the Mustangs traveling to Alamosa, CO Saturday September 7^th (6:00 PM MST) for a match up against former RMAC foe, Adams State.