TYLER, Texas – After taking a tough loss last week, the McMurry University football team is eager to take the field this week and perhaps exorcise a few memories. In order to do that, the War Hawks will need to win on the road Saturday versus Texas College (played at Rose Stadium/2 p.m.).
 
McM's veteran head coach Lance Hinson knows that his team can't dwell on losing a game, which his team dominated in virtually every aspect with the exception of the one that counts most: the scoreboard.
 
"There's really not much you say to your guys," Hinson reflected. "It's 'go back to work.' Put the hard hat on and focus on yourself, your position group and your side of the ball."
 
In the brief history between Texas College and McMurry on the gridiron, it has been all War Hawks. McM holds a 2-0 record in the series. Coming into Saturday's game, the War Hawks(1-1)  have never been scored upon by the Steers (0-2). McM has shut out TC on both occasions, previously, by a combined 117-0 margin.
 
These schools last met during the 2012 campaign (Nov. 3, 2012), with McMurry scored a resounding 53-0 win at Wilford Moore Stadium, during what turned out to be a record-setting day.  Among the school single-game records set - all of which still stand in the record books - were: Longest Pass Play  (95 yard TD from Jake Mullin to Jeret Smith); Most Pass Completions (49 by Mullin); and Most TD Passes (7 by Mullin).
 
In that game, McM also out-gained TC in total offense by a 664-to-153 margin. Both teams gained the bulk of their yards via the pass, with McM rushing for just 34 yards and the Steers gaining 35 yards on the ground.  Mullin was 49-for-63, good for 471 yards. Desmond Guy – a senior on the 2015 McM squad - had an interception for McM's defense in that win.
 
Texas College has had a rough start in 2015. In its season opener versus NCAA II Mississippi College, the Steers were lassoed by a 61-6 score on the road in Clinton, Miss.  Last week, TC was wrecked by East Texas Baptist, 56-14. TC quarterback Curtez Griffin has completed 30-of-51 passes for 189 yards, with one TD and three interceptions. Griffin also leads the Steers' rushing with 89 net yards.
 
Conversely, McMurry opened its season with a 49-22 win at East Texas Baptist. In week #2, the War Hawks dropped their home opener (7-6) to Southwestern (the first time the teams had played in 65 years).
 
Senior running back Paxton Grayer leads the McM ground attack, with 328 yards rushing (including a career-high 171 in the loss to Southwestern). Quarterback Matt McHugh has completed 42-of-73 passes (57%) for 544 yards and 5 TDs and a QB Efficiency Rating of 139.99.  Eight different receivers have been McHugh's targets, including Grayer (12 catches for 146 yards), his twin brother David McHugh (9 catches for 142 yards) and Charles Agugua (5 catches for 104 yards).
 
The War Hawks' offensive unit may have more to prove than anyone.  In its setback to last week, McM's lone score was a 17-yard interception return for a TD by linebacker Jacob Ferguson.  It marked the first time that McMurry's offense has not scored a point in a game since the season opener of 2012 (a 51-0 loss to nationally- ranked Abilene Christian).
 
Defensively, Ryan Williams average 11.0 tackles per game for McM, followed by Chase Franklin's 7.0 tackles per game and 6.0 t.p.g each for Marlon Jackson and Calvin Middlebrooks.
 
The Texas College game can be heard live in the Abilene area on KSLI 1280 AM, with the pre-game show beginning at 1:40 p.m.  David Bacon and Max Preston call the action.  Fans can also listen live via the web at: 1280ksli.com.