MIDLAND Ritse Vaes connected on a 42-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining to play to lift Midwestern State to a 24-23 victory against UTPB Saturday at Astound Broadband Stadium.
Vaes’ kick capped a furious second-half comeback by the Mustangs, who trailed 20-7 at halftime after having trouble moving the ball against the Falcons’ defense.
Quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole was 22-of-37 passing for 204 yards and three touchdowns, with running back Devin Cross adding 20 carries for 100 yards to the victory.
Midwestern State improved to 4-4 overall, 3-3 in Lone Star Conference play.
The Falcons dropped to 3-5, 2-4 and have lost three of their last four games by a combined five points.
UTPB running back Taj Crenshaw led the offense with 13 carries for 100 yards.
Kicker Michael Mayfield connected on three field goals, including a pair of 42-yard kicks, the second give the Falcons a 23-7 lead with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter.
The Mustangs, however, found a way to get their offense on track at that point and scored the final 17 points to rally for the victory.
UTPB is on the road next week against Eastern New Mexico in Portales, N.M.
