STEPHENVILLE - - It was a day of celebration for No. 4 Tarleton on Saturday afternoon at Lonn Reisman Athletic Center at Memorial Stadium.

The Texans took no mercy on their rival as they dominated from the start with a 66-7 win over Midwestern State.

“I thought we played really well for the most part,” said Tarleton head coach Todd Whitten. “We had a really good week of practice even though it was cold and rainy.”

The win came on senior day for Tarleton and brought a pause to their rivalry against the Mustangs. The Texans own a 20-12 overall edge in the series and are 11-4 at home against MSU. The 52-point margin of victory is the largest for either team in the series.

“We got our ass beat. What else can you say,” said MSU head coach Bill Maskill.

Tarleton has won 13 consecutive home games, which is tied for the second-longest streak in NCAA Division-II and has won 19-straight regular-season games.

FIRST STEP

The Texans secured at least a share of their second consecutive Lone Star Conference title with the big win. This is the first time in Tarleton’s history it has won back-to-back LSC titles.

“To have at least a share of the conference championship is certainly one of our goals,” said Whitten. “These kids are focused. They’ve done a good job with everything we’ve asked of them.”

Tarleton can secure the LSC title outright in two weeks with a win at Western New Mexico. Winning the conference title is only the first step of many that Tarleton plans to take this season.

“There’s a certain amount of pressure and the expectations are high, and I think that’s good for all of us,” said Whitten. “This football team is so good sawing wood day after day and getting it done.”

RECORD-SETTING DAY

Senior wide receiver Zimari Manning made the most of his final regular-season home game as he gained 129 yards and three touchdowns on five catches.

“It means a lot (to set the record). It’s not a goal of mine,” said Manning. “I just take every day one day at a time and keep grinding and believing in my God-given abilities.”

Manning set Tarleton school records for most receiving touchdowns in a single-season and career on Saturday afternoon. He leads NCAA D-II with 17 touchdowns this season and has 29 career touchdowns for the Texans.

“There’s been a lot of good receivers play at this university so that is quite a record to have,” said Whitten.  “Zimari is an exceptional player and an exceptional person as well.”

ROAD WARRIORS

Tarleton hits the road for its remaining two games of the regular season beginning with a trip to visit William Jewell next Saturday at 1 p.m.

MSU-Texas will play its final home game of the season next Saturday when they host Western New Mexico at 1 p.m.