Although the Mustangs beat the Lionz twice in 2002, both victories decisive, each game ended under a swirl of Lion resentment over how the Mustangs finished off each win. This seasons Lionz, re-stocked and re-tooled significantly from the 2002 model, did not hold back.

The game started very competitively, and in fact, was closer than the score would indicate. The Lionz marched their opening drive 72 yards without a running play for the first score, a 7-yard Dougherty to Josh Black touchdown pass. The Mustangs countered with a drive of their own, finished in style with a 20-yard Cody Jackson (12-26-3-158-1) to Scott Johnson touchdown pass.

The teams would go toe-to-toe for a couple of possessions before Madison and Dougherty broke out in the second quarter with three straight touchdown passes, two to Brett Petty and another one to Black, on three consecutive possessions to start pulling away for a 26-6 halftime lead.

Madison's Tagg Williams accounted for the only 3rd quarter scoring when he picked off Jackson and weaved across the field up the sideline for a 43-yard touchdown return which appeared to be the final "nail in the coffin" of a Mustang comeback. Perhaps, as a final statement play, Dougherty threw his 5th touchdown pass in the 4th quarter to his usual favorite target, Buck Mouser to account for the final scoring.

As usual, Madison wide receivers had the big offensive day with Dave Allen (7 receptions, 90 yards) and Brett Petty (3 receptions, 70 yards, 2 touchdowns) also had big nights for the Lionz. The Lion defense got a solid all-around performance in keeping an explosive Mustang offense out of the end zone for most of the game. The Lionz defense sacked Jackson 5 times and had 3 interceptions in the game. Lead by Greg Givens (5.5 tackles, interception), Brodie Landon (6.5 tackles, 1/2 sack) and Brodie Atwood (5.5 tackles, 1 sack) they held the Mustangs to their lowest point total in a regular season game since July 8th, 2000 when they only scored 6 against the Wasatch Wildcats in a regular season game in which they also lost, by a score of 14-6.

For the Mustangs, Jake Scouten had another solid performance. Scouten rushed for 62 yards and caught 5 passes for 72 yards, leading the team in both categories for 134 total yards. Ron Childs (8.5 tackles), Donell McNeil (6 tackles, 1 sack), Mike Jensen (6 tackles, 1 sack), Justin Weaver (6.5 tackles, interception) and Josh Richardson lead the Mustangs in keeping the Lionz in check.