End of Q1: Midwestern 14, ACU 7

The opening drive was energized by a 49-yard pass play from quarterback Mitchell Gale to wide receiver Darrell Cantu-Harkless. Gale capped it with a 17-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Taylor Gabriel at 13:54. Morgan Lineberry's successful PAT put ACU on top, 7-0. The 6-play drive covered 80 yards in 1:06.

Midwestern State is only allowing its opponents an average of 6.5 points per first half, so that's a good early sign.

MSU moved crisply down the field on its first drive, scoring when quarterback Brandon Kelsey threw a 9-yard pass to wide receiver Edgard Theliar in the back of the end zone. Greg Saladino's successful PAT tied the score at 7-7 with 10:56 remaining.

On ACU's next drive, Gale's pass on fourth and 2 at the MSU 26 was tipped and intercepted by Bernard Griffin at the Mustangs' 17-yard line.

MSU then went on an 11-play, 83-yard drive, with Keidrick Johnson's 1-yard TD run and Saladino's PAT putting the Mustangs on top, 14-7 with 3:30 left.

First-quarter stats showed the Mustangs outgaining ACU in total yards, 164-150. Gale was 10 of 17 for 150 yards, and MSU's Kelsey was 8 of 10 for 107 yards and one TD. The Wildcats were outgained on the ground, 57-9, with the Mustangs' Lester Bush leading the way with 42 yards.