Video of Coach Hinson's Weekly Pre-Game Media Lunch SAN ANGELO, Texas – The old saying of "strike while the iron is hot" obviously does not take into consideration that college football schedules are set up at least a year in advance. After an opening week upset of NCAA Division I Houston Baptist (26-17) back on September 6 - and the momentum it brought - the McMurry University football team then had to sit around during a bye week last Saturday, before getting back into action this weekend versus Angelo State University (Sat., Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.).
David Bacon and Kit Kimbrell will call the action, which can be hear live locally on KSLI 1280-AM with the pre-game show beginning at 6:40 p.m. The broadcast can also be heard via the internet on the
McMurry Sports Network (links available at www.mcmurrysports.com).
"I would have rather gone into the next game," McM head coach
Lance Hinson said of the interruption on the schedule. "But what it allowed us to do is get back out on the field and work on some incredibly glaring mistakes we made two Saturdays ago. And anytime you can give your guys a couple extra days for their bumps and bruise (is good); it's not a 'sprint,' it's a 'marathon'."
Two weeks ago, the War Hawks out-gained the HBU, 405 to 324.
Jeret Smith scored his team's final three touchdowns of the game on a five-yard run, followed by receptions of 22 and 55 yards. Smith finished with six catches for 123 yards. Smith, a senior, was named as the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national Offensive "Player of the Week."
Decorian Johnson, a defensive back, had a stellar performance in returning to his hometown. He recorded eight tackles, with six solo and two for a loss against the Huskies. His third quarter interception at the McMurry two-yard line stopped a Houston Baptist threat, as well, with McM clinging to a 20-14 lead at the time.
McMurry will be facing a stout ASU team that won its debut on its new on-campus stadium last Saturday. The Rams christened their new home field - LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field - with a 38-6 victory over Western State (Colo.) University. ASU rolled up 607 yards of total offense and limited WSU to just 288 yards of offense (including just 82 yards rushing).
"The first thing that comes across when you start watching film (on Angelo State) is the size of their offensive line," Hinson said. "Their quarterback is special; they have a special receiver that makes plays. It shows you what they want to do and who they want to get the ball in the hands of…and that offensive line is huge."
Angelo State leads the all-time series with McMurry by a 5-4 count, including having won the last four meetings. Last year's battle was the first meeting between the teams in 42 years and ASU spoiled McMurry's Homecoming Game, defeating the War Hawks, 48-35, at Wilford Moore Stadium. The Rams led at the half, 34-7, but McM stormed back with 28 second-half points. ASU had a narrow edge in total offense, 473 to 468. For McM,
Paxton Grayer – now a junior – rushed for 107 yards (on 10 carries) and one TD. Smith had five catches for 129 yards and one score, as well.
The game will be the Lone Star Conference opener for both teams.
NEST NOTES: Senior receiver Jeret Smith is ascending the McM career receiving charts. Smith has 133 career receptions, #7 on McM's all-time list, 1 behind #6 spot occupied by Fred Rau (1996-97) at 134. Smith also ranks #8 in receiving yards at 1,709; 9 yards behind #7 Marcus Franklin (2009-10) total 1,718 yards.
