Mustangs Gallop Over Cobras 63-16

The Cobras struggled on both sides of the ball and failed to record the team's first home victory, as the Mustangs built a commanding lead and never looked back.

Gary Compton scored four touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving, to lead the Mustangs. Quarterback Kevin McDougal finished 21 of 33 for 266 with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Defensively, lineman Hugh Hunter recorded two sacks and defensive back Wayne Wade intercepted a pass.

Carolina quarterback Fred McNair, making his first start in Raleigh, was pressured all night. He finished 14 of 29 for 190 yards with two touchdowns, but was sacked three times and repeatedly knocked down. Cornelius White pulled in six passes for 137 yards, including a spectacular 45-yard touchdown.

Milwaukee took the opening kickoff and scored on a 20-yard field goal by Steve Videtich, a former N.C. State Wolfpacker. On the ensuing kickoff, the Mustang's Terry Groom recovered a net ball at the 7-yard line and rumbled into the end zone for a 10-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. A couple of sacks doomed the Cobras first drive, and Remy Hamilton's 40-yard field goal was wide right. Three plays later Compton caught a pass from McDougal and scampered down the right sideline for a 30-yard touchdown. Another missed field goal halted Carolina's next drive.

A 26-yard field goal by Videtich extended the Milwaukee lead to 20-0 early in the second quarter. McNair couldn't convert on fourth down, as his pass fell incomplete with 10:35 left in the half. The Mustang's scored on a 7-play, 34-yard, penalty plagued drive, to lead 27-0 with 5:03 remaining.

Carolina got on the board, as Jason Nichols fought off a defender to haul in a 24-yard touchdown pass from McNair with two and a half minutes remaining in the half. As the clock ticked under 30 seconds, Compton pushed his way into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown run. McNair threw an interception on the first play of the drive to set up an 18-yard field goal. The Mustangs went to the locker room with a 36-7 advantage.

Hamilton kicked a 20-yard field goal early in the second half, but Lamart Cooper streaked down the left sideline for a 21-yard touchdown reception. Both teams struggled to move the ball on offense and several missed field goals left the score 43-10 after three quarters.

A 26-yard reception set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Compton early in the fourth. The Cobras drive ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down. McNair scrambled out of the pocket, but his pass to White in the end zone was too low. The Mustangs wasted no time, scoring on a 9-yard pass to Kevin Huntly. The lead ballooned to 56-10 with 5:39 remaining in the game. White pulled in a juggling 45-yard scoring pass, but the two-point conversion failed. Milwaukee continued to score, adding a 2-yard run to extend their lead to 63-16.

The loss cost the Cobras another offensive threat. Cobra OS Kevin Lee injured his right knee during Groom's touchdown return. Lee, who saw his first action since being placed on the injured reserve list April 25, is out indefinitely.

Carolina travels to Hartford, Conn. next Friday, June 16, 7:30 p.m. for match-up with the New England Sea Wolves. The Cobras beat the Sea Wolves 44-39 at the ESA during the preseason. -->