Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Truman State University Athletics

3
TRUMAN TRUMAN 0-1
31
Winner Midwestern State MSU 1-0
TRUMAN TRUMAN
0-1
3
Final
31
Midwestern State MSU
1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
TRUMAN TRUMAN 0 3 0 0 3
MSU Midwestern State 17 0 0 14 31

Game Recap: Football |

Football Recap: Midwestern State 31, Truman 3

Box Score
Midwestern (Texas) State University Mustangs 31 (1-0, 0-0 LSC)
Truman (Mo.) State University Bulldogs 3 (0-1, 0-0 GLVC)
 
WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Midwestern State took advantage of some early ideal field position and built up a 17-0 lead in downing the Truman Bulldogs 31-3 in the season opener on Saturday night in Texas.
 
Truman started the season under the shadows of their own goalposts and facing a stiff wind gave the Mustangs a redzone opportunity out of the gate following a three-and-out punt. MSU wasted little time as quarterback Hagan Hutchinson found Arsenio Phillips for a 13-yard strike and a 7-0 lead.
 
The second drive didn't fare as well either and MSU took over at Truman's 43. Hutchinson connected with Statron Jones from 20 yards out and a 14-0 advantage seven minutes into the contest.
 
The Mustangs added a late first quarter field goal to go by 17.
 
The Bulldog defense settled in and held MSU scoreless in the second and third quarters but the offense could not finish off some solid drives.
 
Truman got on the scoreboard with three minutes to play in the half as Devonte Black engineered a 15-play, 58 yard drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal by Nick Dolezal. 
 
In that possession, Black moved the chains with an 11-yard run to near midfield then used Kyle Spratt on three different completions of eight, 15 and nine yards to move the ball to the Mustangs' 13. Freshman Andy Satulla converted on fourth and one then caught a seven-yard reception to move the ball down to the four. Following a timeout, Head Coach Gregg Nesbitt sent out the field goal unit and Dolezal converted.
 
The second play out of the locker room saw Kade Young recover a MSU fumble at the Mustangs' 36.
 
However, the ensuing drive was plagued with penalties. Off the bat, Truman was flagged for holding moving the ball back to midfield. Black gained a chunk of yardage back on a 14-yard keeper but on third and six, two straight false starts zapped the momentum and forced Truman to punt.
 
The Bulldog defense held their own as they forced a turnover on downs at their own 37. A.J. Hartfield picked up 20 yards on the first two plays and Black slid down for nine yards but had to leave the game after his helmet came off in the process. The drive then stalled out at the 33 and Black punted the ball into the endzone for a touchback.
 
Midwestern chewed up the rest of the third quarter clock and scored a touchdown on a two-yard quarterback keeper by Hutchinson to cap off a 16-play, 80-yard drive to put things out of reach.
 
MSU would add another fourth quarter score following a blocked punt and another short field.
 
In all, five of MSU's 12 drives started inside the Bulldog 50 yardline and their average starting field position being their own 47.
 
MSU finished with 321 yards of total offense with 125 coming on the ground and 196 through the air. Truman mustered 171 yards with Hartfield gaining 60 on the ground and Black completing 12-of-22 for 51 yards.
 
Austin Zoda led the defense with 13 stops and one forced fumble and Young made 11 tackles with the recovery in the third quarter.
 
The Bulldogs will play their second regional non-conference game next Saturday when they take on Wayne (Mich.) State in Detroit. The Warriors were defeated 20-15 by Michigan Tech in their season opener on Thursday night. Kickoff from Motown is scheduled for noon local time, 11 a.m. central.
 
Print Friendly Version