Box Score (updated)
 
HOUSTON, Texas – David- 1; Goliath- 0
 
McMurry University's football team used a tremendous defensive effort and an opportunistic offense to defeat NCAA Division I Houston Baptist University, 26-17, spoiling the unveiling of HBU's Husky Stadium, as well. The victory was also the first at McM for War Hawks' head coach Lance Hinson at the school.
 
It marked the second time in four seasons that McM has handed a fledgling NCAA I foe its first official loss. In 2011, McM defeated UT-San Antonio for the first time during its inaugural campaign. The last coach to score a victory in his debut with McMurry was the late Joe Crousen in 2005
 
For Hinson, winning in his first game at the War Hawks' helm was something not accomplished by such notable former McM head coaches as Grant Teaff, Spud Aldridge, Hal Mumme or Steve Keenum. The last coach to score a victory in his debut with McMurry was the late Joe Crousen in 2005
 
The Huskies led 3-0 after a field goal with 11:47 left in the first quarter. But, three minutes later, the War Hawks embarked on a seven-play, 75 yard scoring drive. Chris Simpson carried it in from six yards out and, after the extra point, McM led 7-3.
 
An HBU safety and another field goal, gave the Huskies an 8-7 lead with 2:07.
 
The visiting War Hawks got another 75-yard scoring drive, taking 12 plays to score at the 11:06 juncture of the second stanza. Senior receiver Jeret Smith ran the ball in on a reverse, with the five-yard TD giving McM a 13-8 lead, as it stood until the half.
 
HBU took the second half kickoff and immediately drove the field for the go-ahead score. The Huskies drove 65 yards in 12 plays, crossing the line on a 14-yard Jonathan Fleming-to-D'Angelo Wallace aerial. After the PAT, the Huskies grabbed a 14-13 lead.
 
At the 6:11 mark of the third, McMurry answered HBU's challenge with a 79-yard series. Matt McHugh tossed his first collegiate TD pass, hitting Smith with a 22-yard strike that made it 20-14.
 
Travis Shinn's third field goal of the night drew the Huskies to within 20-17, but McMurry added some critical insurance with 5:29 left to play.
 
McHugh hit Smith with a 55-yard catch-and-run up the home sideline. The missed extra point left the score 26-17 in favor of McM.
 
The War Hawks got some great defense all night, but especially in the waning minutes. Interceptions by Decorian Johnson and Ashton Campbell shut down a pair of Huskies' last-chance drives.
 
In all, Smith caught six passes for 123 yards and the combined three TDs (two receiving; one rushing). Running back Paxton Grayer had two catches for 92 yards and Charles Agugua had two grabs for 58 yards.
 
Sophomore quarterback McHugh had a sterling debut running the McM offense. McHugh completed 14-of-23 passes for 303 yards and the two touchdowns. He was intercepted twice.
 
Simpson led the rushing attack with 45 yards on 12 carries. Grayer had 27 yards on 13 attempts.
 
In all, McMurry out-gained the Huskies in total offense by a margin of 405 to 324 yards.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive back Desmond Guy had 12 tackles (nine solo), followed closely by Josh Jones' 11 stops on the front line. Linebackers Chase Franklin and Ashton Campbell each booked nine total tackles, with Johnson and Joshua Fisher halting the Huskies eight time, apiece.