Coming off another thrilling game last weekend, the Falcons are back at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland. The Falcons look to get back on track against Midwestern State in what has turned into a budding rivalry over the last few seasons. The last time these teams met in Midland, the Falcons capped off a 5-0 spring season with a 22-21 win in overtime. Going back to 2019, this has been a close series, with each game decided by six points or less. Tomorrow is Pecos Day as the Falcons welcome the people of Pecos and students in the Pecos ISD. The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a free seat cushion at the gate.
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Forecast: 85 degrees and partly cloudy, wind SW 13 mph
Scouting the Opponent
Coming into the weekend with a record identical to the Falcons, the Mustangs have a high flying offense. They come in averaging 31.9 points per game despite being losers of three straight.
They utilize a two-quarterback season, deploying both Neiko Hollins and Dillon Sterling-Cole. Hollins has gotten the majority of the snaps under center throwing for six touchdowns and 790 yards. They have struggled through the air though tossing 11 interceptions as a team against 10 touchdowns.
Only Ja'Marzeya Arvie, Kylan Harrison, and Jayden Moore are the only receivers over 200 yards while Arvie is the only guy over 20 receptions and has multiple touchdowns.
On the ground is where they do most of their damage, averaging 209.0 yards per game. Devin Cross leads the way with 628 yards and three scores while Trenton Kennedy has 319 yards and four scores.
The Mustangs are outscoring opponents 62-24 in the fourth quarter and two of their three wins have come thanks to big fourth quarters. They scored 15-unanswered points in their win over Eastern New Mexico and the next week outscored Michigan Tech 21-0 in another comeback win.
Close Games
The Falcons have found themselves in a tight game nearly every week this season. Five of their seven games have been decided by one-score or less and all five saw the game winning score happen in the final 90 seconds of regulation or gone to overtime. The team's point differential in Lone Star Conference games is –7.
Record Breaking
MJ Link has continued his record setting season. Not only the school's all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions, Link needs just three catches this week to lead the program in all three categories. Link is closing in on easily the greatest single season ever by a Falcon receiver as well. He needs just eight catches, 75 yards, and two touchdowns with four games remaining to break all of those single season records as well. The senior already holds the single season touchdown record with eight, set last year.
Aerial Attack
This game could come down to the team that performs better through the air. The Falcons are fourth in the Lone Star Conference averaging 233.7 yards per game while Midwestern State is second to last in passing defense, allowing 260.1 yards per game. On the flip side the Falcons are last in the conference in passing defense at 275.0 yards per game, but the Mustangs are second to last in passing offense, only throwing for 192.0 yards per game.
Applying Pressure
Look for the Falcons to get at the duo of Mustang quarterbacks. The Falcons are tied with No. 2 Angelo State for the most sacks in the league with 23. It'll be a difficult task ahead as the Mustangs have allowed just four all season to lead the conference.
Third Downs
Once again third downs will play a major role in the game. The Falcons convert just 27.2 percent of third downs, second to last in the LSC, while the Mustangs allow 46.6 percent of third down conversions, also the second worst in the league.
Leading the Defense
Senior D'Ondre Robinson is going out with a bang. He is tied for the team lead with 48 tackles, despite missing a game. He is also second on the team with seven tackles for loss and leads the team in sacks with 3.5 out of the safety position
Leaders.
Passing—Dylan Graham, 1,373 yards, 11 touchdowns, 144 completions, 60.8 completion percentage
Rushing—Kory Harris, 224 yards, 1 touchdown, 61 attempts, 3.7 yards per carry
Receiving—MJ Link, 599 yards, 7 touchdowns, 42 catches, 85.6 yards per game, 14.3 yards per catch
Tackles—D'Ondre Robinson, 48 tackles, 7 for loss, 3.5 sacks
Original source can be found here.
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