(FREE) Gundy’s 4th Down Miracle Lifts Stillwater Over Mustang
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Both Mustang and Stillwater came into their week two showdown after big wins in week one. And this match-up lived up to the billing of one of the top games in the state as the Pioneers struck with under a minute to play to knock off Mustang 32-28.
Mustang got the scoring started in the first quarter when 2023 quarterback Tristen Russell found 2023 superstar Jacobe Johnson Jacobe Johnson 6'4" | DB Mustang | 2023 State OK on a 30-yard touchdown to go up 7-0. The Pioneers answered on their next drive with several third down conversions and a Gage Gundy Gage Gundy 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Stillwater | 2023 State OK 46-yard touchdown pass to 2022 receiver Ty Smithton. The Pioneers would grab the momentum after they partially blocked a Mustang punt and their next possession would begin at the Bronco 28-yard line. After the Pioneers used a big running game to get them down to the Mustang 3-yard line, Gundy executed a perfect playaction pass to 2024 standout Heston Thompson. Russell and Mustang would respond right before halftime as he took a shotgun snap and leaped over the line of scrimmage and into the end zone to give Mustang a 14-13 halftime lead.
Mustang scored on their first possession of the second half when Russell found Oregon commit and 2022 tight end Andre Dollar Andre Dollar 6'4" | TE Mustang | 2022 State OK in the back of the end zone. That wouldn’t be the last time those two linked up. The Pioneers used another drive in which they ran the ball all the way down the field, led by 2023 running back Noah Roberts, who finished with 130 yards on 24 carries and a short touchdown run late in the third quarter.
The Pioneers would then grab the lead early in the fourth quarter after yet another drive with plenty of carries from Roberts and it ended on a Gundy touchdown pass to 2022 wide receiver Mason Butler, who was Stillwater’s leading receiver with 74 yards on nine receptions and that fourth quarter touchdown. Mustang would respond with an outstanding drive, full of third down conversions and a fourth down miracle and took over six minutes off the clock. At one point, Mustang had 1st and goal at the Stillwater 1-yard line. However, a few plays later, it was 4th and goal from the 22-yard line. Russell found Dollar again in the back of the end zone to give Mustang a 28-25 lead with a little over three minutes left.
Stillwater had a miracle of their own on the next drive. Stillwater got close to midfield but the drive began to stall and they faced 4th and five from their own 40-yard line. And as the clock dipped under a minute to play, Gundy would find Thompson on a 60-yard touchdown pass to give the Pioneers a 31-28 lead. The crucial PAT made it a 32-28 ballgame. Mustang took advantage of a Stillwater unsportsmanlike penalty on the touchdown and took the ensuing kickoff back to near midfield. They ran a few plays and then it was Hail Mary time. Russell’s pass was heaved up to the end zone but batted down to the turf.
Mustang (1-1) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
Stillwater (2-0) | 7 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 32 |
TURNING POINT
This one is obvious in a game that was back and forth. Stillwater answered the Mustang miracle with one of their own. After the Broncos scored with a little over three minutes left on a 4th and goal from their own 22, the Broncos had all of the momentum. However, Gundy took a 4th down snap and he needed five yards to keep the chains moving as the clock dipped under a minute to play. He hit Heston Thompson on a go route as Thompson beat his man deep and the Pioneers took the lead with just 49 seconds left in the game. There were several key moments in this contest, especially in the second half, but Gundy’s pass to Thompson was one of the more exciting moments I’ve seen in person so far this season.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Gage Gundy
Gage
Gundy
6'3" | 200 lbs | QB
Stillwater | 2023
State
OK
– 2023 Quarterback – Stillwater
We could have gone with Noah Roberts or even Heston Thompson for catching the game-winning touchdown but we’ll go with QB1 here. While Stillwater was primarily a run-first offense, Gundy was incredibly efficient when it was time to air it out, including on the fourth down pass that ended in the game-winning touchdown. On the night, Gundy threw for nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns on 14-18 passing. He also added nearly 30 yards rushing on five carries.
QUOTABLE
Stillwater QB
Gage Gundy
Gage
Gundy
6'3" | 200 lbs | QB
Stillwater | 2023
State
OK
On The Game-Winning Touchdown Pass
“On the sideline, Coach Barnard was telling us that if they score, no matter what, we got three minutes. So we have to go down and score either way. So we’re all getting ready for that on the sideline. We all came out thinking that we were going to score. Then we went out and got it done. It’s really special. They’re a good team, especially up front, that’s a good win for us. And for us to come back in the fourth quarter, down at half, to be able to come back in the fourth quarter and get out with a really good team win.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Mustang: AT Norman – Week 3
It’s back to practice for Mustang but they should be bouncing back very soon. Up next is another road game, but this time it’s against a Norman team that has struggled to an 0-2 start. Mustang also beat the Tigers 34-33 in their meeting last year. Norman is 0-2 on the season after losing to rival Norman North in week one and they lost this week to Moore.
Stillwater: AT Bixby – Week 3
The Pioneers can’t celebrate Friday night’s win for very long before they have to get back to work. Because what awaits them next is the renewal of a rivalry. In week three, the Pioneers will go on the road to face top-ranked Bixby, who has won 38 consecutive games and the last three straight state championships. The first two of those title victories came in wins over Stillwater. The highly anticipated 2020 regular season game was wiped away by Covid.