You know how some football seasons just feel like a fever dream? That’s basically the vibe around Wichita Falls lately. If you've been tracking the MSU Mustangs football schedule, you know it wasn't exactly the fairy tale run fans were hoping for in 2025.
It was a grind. Plain and simple.
The Mustangs finished out the 2025 stretch with a 3-8 overall record. Honestly, looking at the box scores doesn't give you the full picture of the grit these guys showed, especially when the Lone Star Conference (LSC) started throwing haymakers. They went 3-6 in conference play, which sounds rough, but they ended on a high note that has everyone looking toward the 2026 spring ball with a bit of a smirk.
Breaking Down the MSU Mustangs Football Schedule
Things kicked off on August 30th with a road trip to Joplin. Missouri Southern took that one 33-19. It wasn't the start anyone wanted. Then came the home opener on September 6th against a really tough Western Colorado squad. They were ranked #8 at the time, and they played like it, handing MSU a 38-13 loss at Memorial Stadium.
Then came the "rest week" that wasn't really a rest week, followed by a shootout against Eastern New Mexico on September 20th. 56-31. Ouch.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
The turning point—or at least the spark—happened in October. After a tough loss to UT Permian Basin (who, let's be real, were a wagon in 2025), the Mustangs finally broke through. On October 4th, they took down Texas A&M-Kingsville 31-24 in front of the home crowd. You could feel the collective sigh of relief from the stands.
The Mid-Season Rollercoaster
The very next week, the Mustangs went absolutely nuclear. They traveled to Alpine, Texas, to face Sul Ross State and dropped 69 points. Nice.
Actually, it was better than nice; it was a 69-23 statement win.
But the LSC is a gauntlet. The following weeks were a blur of high-ranked opponents:
- October 18: A 48-24 loss at #21 Angelo State.
- October 25: Homecoming against #8 Central Washington. That one hurt. A 56-13 loss that left a sour taste.
- November 1: A long flight to Oregon resulted in a 31-3 loss to Western Oregon.
It felt like the wheels were coming off. Then came the Military Appreciation game on November 8th against West Texas A&M. If you weren't there, you missed a classic. It was a 56-42 track meet. Even though the Mustangs lost, they proved they could move the ball on just about anyone.
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Ending With a Bang
The season finale on November 15th was the "Battle of the Mustangs" in Silver City. MSU Texas vs. Western New Mexico.
The guys from Wichita Falls didn't just win; they demolished them. 70-23. It was the kind of performance that makes you forget the 1-4 home record for a second and just enjoy the fireworks. Finishing the season with a win like that changes the whole energy of the locker room going into the offseason.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If you’re already looking for the 2026 MSU Mustangs football schedule, parts of it are starting to leak out. We know for a fact that the West Texas A&M Buffaloes have already announced their side of the slate.
Mark your calendars for September 26, 2026.
The Mustangs will be headed to Canyon to take on the Buffs at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium. It’s always a massive game, and after that 56-42 shootout in 2025, you can bet there’s some unfinished business there.
Why the 2025 Stats Matter for Next Year
Numbers don't lie, but they do tell a story. MSU averaged 30 points per game. That’s actually pretty solid. The problem? They were giving up over 38 points per game.
The passing game was the silver lining. Between Sean Jastrab and Jakolby Longino, the Mustangs were airing it out for nearly 300 yards a game. Jastrab finished with 19 touchdowns in just six games. If he stays healthy and the defense finds a way to stop the bleeding, 2026 could look very different.
Reginald Williams was the workhorse on the ground, averaging nearly 6 yards a carry. He’s the kind of back that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.
What This Means for Fans
Look, a 3-8 season is never the goal. But the Lone Star Conference is arguably the toughest DII conference in the country. When you're playing Top 10 teams like Central Washington and Western Colorado back-to-back, you find out what you're made of real quick.
The 2025 signing class was huge—38 new faces. We're talking nine wide receivers and eight offensive linemen. Head coach Rich Renner is clearly building for the long haul. He's not looking for a quick fix; he's building a foundation.
If you want to keep up with the team, keep an eye on the official MSU Mustangs portal as they finalize the rest of the 2026 dates. Usually, the full non-conference slate drops in late spring.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay ahead of the curve for the upcoming season, fans should focus on the following:
- Monitor the Spring Game: Usually held in late March at Memorial Stadium, this is your first chance to see how the 38-man 2025 signing class is integrating with the returning starters.
- Check LSC Updates: Since opponents like West Texas A&M have already released dates, expect the full LSC conference schedule to be codified by the end of February.
- Ticket Renewals: With the 70-point finale fresh in everyone's minds, season ticket renewals typically begin in early summer.
- Roster Tracking: Watch the transfer portal during the spring window; with a high-powered passing offense already in place, any defensive additions will be the biggest indicator of a potential 2026 turnaround.