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The Wichitan September 2, 2009
Sports
Mustangs run over NMHU in home opener, 41-0 Four plays later, MSU quarterback Zack Eskridge four Tyfor the wichitan ron Morrison in the corner of the BeeJay Mathis has made a end zone for a 14-yard scoring name for himself as a punt re- strike to give the Mustangs a 7-0 turner during his collegiate ca- lead. The Midwestern defense, reer at Midwestern State. Mathis was at it again in Sat- which limited the Cowboys to urday night’s season-opening 124 total yards and forced three41-0 whitewash of New Mexico and-outs on 10 of 14 possessions, Highlands at Memorial Stadi- put Gonzales back on the field three plays later, but this time it um. The 5’-9” senior Dallas who Mathis wasn’t the concern. Junior Austin McDaniel broke has ranked among NCAA Divithrough to get a piece of the ball sion II’s 10 best punt return men on a 15-yard effort to set the in the last two seasons delivered Mustangs up in New Mexico the third-best return game of his Highlands territory, but MSU career as he dashed 89 yards on settled on a 23-yard field from three returns. Jose Martinez to push the advanBut the Mustangs proved the New Mexico Highlands’ special tage to 10-0. The rough night continued for teams had much more to worry Highlands later in the second about than Mathis’ superb return quarter deep snapper Tyler Polability, as MSU’s punt return unit lard’s snap sailed over Gonzales’ played a direct role in Midwesthead. MSU sophomore lineern’s first 24 points of the game backer Ty Duncan recovered the before adding a score of its own ball at the 12-yard line to set up late in the fourth quarter. a 5-yard strike from Eskridge to
Andy Tanner to give Midwestern a 17-0 halftime lead. The Mustangs kept the pressure on in the second half as Mathis broke for a 32-yard return to the NMHU 37-yard. Eskridge connected with Tyron Morrison on a quick flat pass for 13 yards before floating a screen pass to Marcus Mathis, who raced 24 yards for a touchdown to push the MSU lead to 24-0 less than three minutes into the second half. The Mustangs pushed the lead to 31-0 on a 1-yard scoring plunge by BeeJay Mathis before Martinez hit a 39-yard field goal five minute into the first quarter. Duncan closed out the scoring when he scooped up a punt blocked by Jeremy McDonald and sauntered 8 yards for the final tally. Eskridge piloted the MSU offense 331 total yards by connecting on 20-of-26 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. The junior from Rockwall hit
nine receivers, but Tanner, who recorded career highs with nine receptions for 98 yards, was his favorite target. Junior Marcus Mathis paced the MSU rushing attack with 49 yards on nine carries, while BeeJay Mathis closed with 34 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Senior linebacker Emmanuel Bagley led the Mustangs with seven tackles, while Ryan Craven and Austin Shields added five each. The Mustangs pressured New Mexico Highlands quarterback Narcisco Diaz into two interceptions (Craven, Antoine Cumby), three sacks (Kennedy Ezimako, Kevin Birdow, Stephen Turner) and hurried him on six occasions including twice each by Ezimako, Shields and Turner. Midwestern State opens Lone Star Conference crossover play Saturday against Southeastern Oklahoma State at Paul Laird Field in Durant. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Photo by Patrick Johnston Senior Beejay Mathis returned three punts for 89 yeards in MSU’s 41-0 win over New Mexico Highlands Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
MSU’s Landon Fruge and into the net. UIW scored the solo goal of the match. The Cardinals wanted revenge for the 2-1 loss to Midwestern in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Midwest/ South Central Region tournament last season. “It was ugly and we didn’t play well,” MSU coach Doug Elder said. “They were physical, played hard and did what it took to beat us. That wanted it
more than we did.” The Cardinals ran the tempo of the game and outshot the Mustangs 11-3 “They are a good team with quick kids out on the wing which gave us problems,” Elder said. “You could see our inexperience there. They had a good game plan and worked hard.” MSU’s goalkeeper Raul Herrera gave the team a solid performance when he made a outstanding save on a ball in the 80th minute to give his team a
chance to keep the game within reach. On Sunday, the Mustangs returned to the pitch, but this time it was in Austin against St. Edwards. It wasn’t until the 88th minute of the contest when Midwestern scored the lone goal of the game and got the 1-0 win over SEU. MSU’s Bryce Taylor took a through ball from Paulo Teixiera and banked it off of the post and into the goal to score the lone goal and give his team the
1-0 win. “It looked like the defender had a play on it, but we weren’t sure if it was going in,” Elder said. The win improved the Mustang’s to 1-1 on the season and dropped St. Edward’s to 0-2. Junior goalkeeper Raul Herrera recorded his first shutout of the season. Midwestern State pounded the Hilltopper’s goalkeeper with 18 shots, nine of which were on goal. Reid Schmidt, Nick Auditore,
MSUMustangs.com
Men’s soccer takes the road for their season opener kaitlin morrison sports editor
The No. 5 ranked Midwestern State Men’s soccer team took the road to open their 2009 season and faced two tough teams. Friday they traveled to San Antonio to take on Incarnate Word at Benson Stadium. In the 48th minute, Incarnate Word’s Jesus Cortez sent a cross in from the touch line that bounded away on a misclear by
Tyler Murphy, Dean Lovegrove and Paulo Teixiera all had shots on goal. Taylor and Craig Sutherland each added two. St. Edward’s managed nine shots, with only one on goal. The Mustangs will play their home opener Friday when they take on Metro State (Colo.). Kick off is approximately 7:30 p.m. or after the conclusion of the Northeastern State/Regis contest which will kick off at 5:30.