ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University battled back from a 20-point halftime deficit versus Oklahoma Panhandle State University, only to fall in overtime, 36-35, at Wilford Moore Stadium. The War Hawks fell to 3-4 on the year, while the NCAA Division II Aggies improved to 4-2.
 
 It was the fourth-straight victory for OPSU and the second-consecutive setback for McM.  It was the first overtime game for the War Hawks since 2008, when they lost a 21-14 decision to Austin College.
 
The first half of play belonged entirely to the Aggies by any measure. Not only did the guests sport a three-score lead on the scoreboard, but dominated the statistics in the opening half, as well. OPSU had 10 first downs to three for the War Hawks, as well as a 248-to-52 yards margin for total offense. Minus starting running back Paxton Grayer for the game, as well as starting quarterback Matt McHugh sidelined the opening half nursing a sore wrist, the War Hawks' offense was at a standstill.
 
Early in the third quarter, it was actually the defense which finally put McMurry on the board. And for the second time this season, it was sophomore linebacker Jacob Ferguson coming through big for McM head coach Lance Hinson's squad. After OPSU quarterback Brandon Ramon made an errant option pitch at the McM 37 yard line, Ferguson scooped up the ball and galloped 63 yards for touchdown and a school-record fumble return (previously 56 yards by Josh Fisher vs. Texas A&M-Commerce in 2013).
 
Joey Silva's extra point kick at the 11:02 mark of the period made it 20-7.
 
Less than four minutes later, it was McM defensive back J.R. Arroyo setting up his team's next tally by picking off Ramon on OPSU's own 27 yard line.  On the very first play, it was McHugh – who was inserted into the game for the second half – connecting with Charles Agugua for the 27-yard TD aerial, cutting the deficit to 20-14 after the PAT.
 
Charles Smith was the next defender to provide some third-quarter heroics by intercepting a pass by the Aggies second QB Shane Truelove deep in McM territory.  However, a dead ball penalty pushed McMurry back to its own five to start the drive.  McHugh was sacked at the one on the first play, threw an incompletion and then sacked again, this time for a safety that made the score 22-14 with 3:56 remaining in the third.
 
McMurry knotted the game at 22-22 at the 8:20 mark of the fourth period, thanks to an 82-yard catch-and-run by Agugua from McHugh.  The War Hawks then converted the two-point conversion, with Matt McHugh passing to his twin brother David McHugh to forge the 22-22 tie score.
 
With just 3:00 showing on the game clock, OPSU helped out McM with an errant punt snap.  The ball was eventually recovered and advanced 14 yards by War Hawks' defensive lineman Calvin Middlebrooks, before he too fumbled. Fortunately for McM, linebacker Chase Franklin was able to fall on the ball and give McM new live at the Aggies' 45 yard line, first-and-ten.
 
McM deftly used up the clock and, after seven plays it was Dontrell Dock capping the series by diving in from five yards out to put McMurry ahead for the first time all afternoon.  Silva's PAT kick with :58 seconds on the game clock made it 29-22 in favor of the War Hawks.
 
OPSU's Zacari Lavender had he first blow in snatching the potential win from McM's grasp. Lavender made McM faithful blue by returning the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to put OPSU in great field position in the waning seconds.
 
Facing a fourth-and-goal from the McMurry nine and just seven seconds left in regulation, Truelove hit William McKinnis in the far corner of the endzone. McKinnis made a sliding catch as the clock rolled over to 00:00 for the fourth quarter. Nikolas Clarkson calmly added the PAT to even things at 29-29 and send the contest into the extra segment.
 
OPSU went first in the OT, starting from the McMurry 25. The Aggies scored on their fourth play on a six-yard dive by Chris McClendon.  The extra point was good, 36-29.
 
Turning things around for their turn, the War Hawks opened with a seven-yard hook-up from McHugh to Derrick Johnson. Johnson then rushed around the left side for 11 yards down to the OPSU seven.  That was followed by three successive rushed by Dock, the last of which was a one-yarder for the score.
 
Silva came on for the PAT attempt, only to have OPSU call a timeout to try to ice McM's kicker. Unfortunately for the War Hawks, the technique worked as Silva's attempt went wide right and the Aggies escaped with the win.
 
 
McHugh finished the game completing 11-of-17 passes for 186 yards and the two TDs to Agugua. Agugua caught four balls for 128 yards to lead all receivers.  OPSU out-gained McMurry in total offense, 468 to 306 yards for the game.
 
Defensively, McM pilfered a total of for Aggies' passes.  Arroyo had two interceptions, with Smith and Ryan McBeth with one each. 
 
Sophomore linebacker Marlon Jackson amassed 13 total tackles, leading a quartet of War Hawks with double-digit tackle totals. Franklin had 11 stops, while Ryan Williams and Arroyo booking 10 each. Arroyo also had three pass break-ups.
 
McMurry will travel to Sul Ross State University next Saturday.