#17 Mavs Fall to #15 Abilene Christian in NCAA Playoff
(November 17, 2007)

Mesa State College's season came to end Saturday afternoon in Abilene, TX., as host Abilene Christian Wildcats defeated MSC 56-12 in the first round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs at Shotwell Stadium.

ACU's high powered offense was too much for the sixth-ranked Maverick defense as the Wildcats threw for 271 yards (four touchdowns) and rushed for 199 yards (four touchdowns).

MSC took the early lead scoring on the Wildcats first play of the game on a Mark Gruner interception return (17 yards) for a touchdown. (Extra point blocked). ACU scored 56 unanswered points including 28 points in the second quarter and a 42-6 half-time lead.

ACU scored twice in the third quarter for a 56-6 lead as Wildcat quarterback Billy Malone was 18-for-22 in the game. Twelve different ACU players had at least one catch in the game with seven of the 22 catches going for at least 10 or more yards. Malone and leading receiver Johnny Knox hooked up for a 75, 14 and 8-yard touchdown passes.

MSC's Bobby Coy scored the Mavs only offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter. (Extra point blocked). Coy rushed 24 times for 96 yards. MSC had just 75 yards rushing in the game. Quarterback Phil Vigil finished the day 13-of-26 for 143 yards and two interceptions. Vigil was sacked seven times.

Senior Brandon Charles led all players with 12 tackles. Gruner registered eight tackles, half a sack and his first interception of the season resulting in the games first score.

MSC ends it season 10-2 overall while the win improved the Wildcats record to 10-2. ACU will travel to RMAC champion Chadron State College next Saturday.

---MAVS---