Mustang Football Playoff Appearances
Mustangs All-Time in the Postseason
1987 NAIA I First Round Playoffs
Marshall, Minn.: Southwest State qualified for its first ever playoff appearance by finishing the 1987 regular season 7-3-1. SSU was led by Northern Intercollegiate Conference Most Valuable Player James Ashley, who led the conference with 65 receptions and ten touchdowns, while quarterback Steve Elzenga also had an outstanding season passing for a school record 4,222 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Despite losing its last regular season game to Minnesota-Morris in the Metrodome (their second loss to the Cougars that season), SSU not only earned a playoff spot, but learned it would host Mesa State (Colo.) in the first round at Mattke Field.
The Mavericks though proved to be too much as they broke open a close halftime score by scoring 35 third quarter points to build a 42-0 lead. Mesa State would go on to win 49-7 as they piled up 502 yards of offense and held the Mustangs to just 170 total yards.
Mesa State was led by future NFL standout wide receiver Tony Martin. Martin though did his damage as the Mavericks starting quarterback. Martin finished the game just 5 of 11 passing for 83 yards, but rushed for 52 yards and one touchdown. MSC finished the game with 419 yards rushing, including 248 by Mike Vaughn.
Elzenga was held in check as he finished just 10 of 25 passing for 90 yards. Ashley finished with four receptions for 67 yards.
MESA STATE 7 0 35 7 - 49
SSU 0 0 0 7 - 7
Scoring Summary
MSC- Vaughn 48-yard run
MSC- Hinkson 1-yard run
MSC- Martin 2-yard run
MSC- Hinkson 1-yard run
MSC- Brame 4-yard run
MSC- Batten 31-yard run
SSU- Ginn 5-yard pass from Rich
MSC- Adams 8-yard run
1990 NAIA I First Round Playoffs
Jefferson City,Tenn.: Southwest State qualified for its second NAIA playoff appearance after winning the program’s first Northern Intercollegiate Conference championship in school history. SSU finished the regular season 8-2 and earned a first round playoff game in Jefferson City, Tenn., against powerhouse Carson-Newman.
SSU quarterback and NIC Most Valuable Player Jeff Loots led the way for the Mustangs in 1990. The sophomore passed for 2,967 yards and 25 touchdowns in his first season as a Mustang. Robert Lipsey rushed for 632 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Wayne Hawkins finished the year with 63 catches for 830 yards and six TDs.
The game was similar to SSU’s first ever playoff game in 1987. The Mustang fought hard and trailed just 14-6 at halftime on the strength of a pair of Andy Gillen field goals. The Eagles though would score 21 straight points to win going away 35-6. Loots finished the game for SSU 26 of 48 passing for 312 yards, but the SSU rushing attack had no luck as it finished with minus-47 yards rushing.
CARSON-NEWMAN 14 0 14 7 - 35
SSU 3 3 0 0 - 6
Scoring Summary
CN- Thomas 38-yard run
SSU- Gillen 28-yard field goal
CN- Hardy 67-yard run
SSU- Gillen 21-yard field goal
CN- Thomas 14-yard run
CN- Hardy 22-yard run
CN- Mathis 4-yard run