2008 Season Review - Midwestern State

It was a mixed bag for the Mustangs. They were expected to suffer a power outage on offense, but still have a solid defense, and those outlooks held true. They won some games early, despite the offense struggling, but lost 4 of their last six games as they hit the harder part of their schedule.


MSU got out of the gate 4-0 (rising to #17 in the AFCA poll), including a huge win over #21 Newberry College in week 3. None of the wins were dominating (14 pts was the largest margin), but the defense was very solid, and was allowing the offense time to gel. That didn't quite happen, as the Mustangs dropped their next two games to #5 WT and #19 Tarleton State by a combined 30-79 margin. The offense finally came around in game 7, and MSU scored 130 points over the next three weeks, losing just to the hot UCO Bronchos. The season finale against ACU, saw the Mustangs suffer the same fate as the rest of the LSC, a lopsided loss.


The passing game was slow coming around, but about midway through the season, Zack Eskridge found his groove. He finished the season with 1,682 yds passing and a team record 18 TD passes. Marcus Mathis led the rushing attack with 625 yds and 5 TDs. Seven receivers had at least 15 receptions, but none had more than 26. The defense was solid for the most part, keeping them in most games, but allowed 37 or more points 4 times (all losses).





2008 LSC Statistical Rankings
#3 Scoring defense
#3 Total defense
#3 Rushing offense (but down 173 yards per game)
#3 Rushing defense
#1 Punt return avg.
#2 Net Punting
#1 Kickoff coverage


#5 Scoring offense (down 19 points per game)
#7 Total Offense (down 230 yards per game)
#12 Passing offense


Standout players
BeeJay Mathis - 1st All-LSC South Return Specialist, led LSC in punt return avg. (15.6 yds)
Todd Zoglmann - 1st All-LSC South Defensive Line (26 tackles, 2.5 TFL)
Eldridge Sims - 2nd All-LSC South Offensive Line
Dillion Sullivan - HM All-LSC South Offensive Line
Lance Calloway - HM All-LSC South Offensive Line
James "Mookie" Davis - HM All-LSC South Wide Receiver (21-166 1 TD)
Andy Tanner - HM All-LSC South Wide Receiver (26-287 4 TD)
Marcus Mathis - HM All-LSC South Running Back (656 yds rush, 5 TD)
Kellen Belcher - HM All-LSC South Defensive Line (16 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 Sack)
Jarrell Warren - HM All-LSC South Defensive Line (32 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 6.5 Sacks)
Jacob Martin - HM All-LSC South Linebacker (63 tackles, 2.5 TFL)
Darius Borrtters - HM All-LSC South Linebacker (57 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Int, 3 pass BU)
Antoine Cumby - HM All-LSC South Cornerback (43 tackles, 1 Int, 4 pass BU)
Micah Hill - HM All-LSC South Cornerback (32 tackles, 4 Int, 7 pass BU)
Herman Walker - HM All-LSC South Safety (58 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 4 Int, 8 pass BU)
Ben White - HM All-LSC South Punter (38.1 punt avg.)
Zack Eskridge - Quarterback - 159-254 1,682 yds, 18 TD, 8 Int



Seniors moving on
Mookie Davis WR - HM All-LSC South 2008 (career 99-1,153 5 TD)
Brandon Frazier WR - (2 yr career 33-347 2 TD)
Marlon Haynes WR - (1 yr 15-223 1 TD)
Eldridge Sims OT - 2nd All-LSC South 2008
Todd Zoglman DT - 1st All-LSC South 2008, 2nd in 2007, 2nd in 2006 (3 yr career 76 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 2 sacks)
Kellen Belcher DT - HM All-LSC South 2008, 2nd in 2007 (2 yr career 38 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 4 sacks)
Jarrell Warren DE - HM All-LSC South 2008, HM in 2007 (career 88 tackles, 12 TFL, 8.5 sacks)
Jacob Martin LB - HM All-LSC South 2008 (2 yr career 127 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks)
Darrius Borrtters LB - HM All-LSC South 2008 (career 109 tackles, 11 TFL, 2 Ints)
Glentrelle Ware LB
Herman Walker S - HM All-LSC South 2008 (career 119 tackles, 8 Ints, 21 pass defended)
Ben White P - HM All-LSC South 2008, HM in 2007 (38.2 career punting average)




LSC Scoop Preseason Predictions:
5th in initial Power Poll


Best Case Scenario
9-1 The deep Mustang defense gets even tougher, improves the teams LSC leading turnover margin, and the offense doesn't miss Polk as much as thought.


Worst Case Scenario
4-6 The tough schedule stunts the teams confidence, defense is simply solid, not great and offense suffers dropoff from losses of Polk, Lee and two all conference linemen.

Actual Record 6-4