The Lone Star Conference did not officially give out a conference title this year. Still, UT Permian Basin certainly feels like conference champs after defeating Midwestern State 22-21 in overtime last Saturday.

The Falcons defense shined once again, limiting the typically potent Mustangs offense to 303 total yards, and benefitted from the Mustangs undisciplined play at crucial points in the contest.

UTPB overcame an early deficit and needed overtime to win after MSU scored with 49 seconds remaining in regulation.

MSU had the ball first in the extra period and scored a four-yard touchdown, forcing the Falcons to score a touchdown to extend the game.

But Falcons coach Justin Carrigan had different thoughts and chose to go for a two-point conversion and the win following a nine-yard touchdown from Brayden Thomas to Matt Zubiate.

Kobe Robinson outran the Mustangs defense on an out route, and Thomas hit Robinson in stride for the two-point conversion, which sparked a celebration worthy of winning a conference title.

UTPB finished the spring undefeated at 5-0 and have won its last six games dating back to a win over Texas A&M-Kingsville to end the 2019 season.

The win was also the program’s first victory over MSU and officially placed the rest of the LSC on notice for the fall season.

The Falcons defense has been incredibly stout this spring and will have UTPB in a position to challenge Texas A&M-Commerce, West Texas A&M, and Angelo State for the conference title in the fall.

If UTPB can win the school’s first conference football title in the fall, this spring will be the main reason for success.