Over the weekend, the Tarleton State University Texan football team hosted their home opener against the No. 18 Midwestern State University Mustangs. The Texans fell to the Mustangs 27-23 in their home opener.

The Tarleton State University Texan football team, coming off a 31-27 loss to the Florida Institute of Technology Panthers, were looking to rebound and regroup for Lone Star Conference rival, Midwestern State University. The Texans held the advantage, being 17-7 all-time against the Mustangs and 10-2 when playing at home.

The Texans began the game strong, with a 13-yard touchdown run from Sophomore wide receiver Dominique Martin with 8:31 left in the first quarter. The Texans led at the end of the first quarter, 7-0.

The Mustangs fired back in the second quarter, putting up a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:12 left in the second to even out the score. A 23-yard field goal from Junior kicker Blake Barnes put the Texans up top 10-7. However, the Mustangs put up an 11-yard run with just 43 seconds left in the half. The Texans were determined to not go into halftime defeated, with Barnes putting up a 49-yard field goal as time expired to cut the Mustangs lead 14-13 going into halftime.

The Texans were able to stop the Mustangs from a touchdown run in the third, but we’re unable to stop the Mustangs kicking a 32-yard field goal to extend their lead. The Texans were able to get a 30-yard field goal to cut the Mustangs’ lead to 17-16 to go into the fourth quarter.

Despite another Mustang touchdown run, the Texans were able to counter that with a 12-yard touchdown run from Senior wide receiver Clifton Rhodes III to put the Texans up 23-20 with 6:29 left in the game. However, the Texans were unable to stop the Mustangs from scoring, with MSU putting up a 9-rad run with 1:05 left in the game. The Texans were unable to counter the last minute run, falling to the Mustangs, 27-23.

Next up, the Texans (1-1 LSC, 1-2 overall) will travel to Commerce, TX, to take on the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions(2-1 LSC, 3-1 overall) on Saturday Oct. 4 at 7p.m.