BROWNWOOD, Texas – The McMurry University defense once again flexed its muscle in a 41-6 road win versus Howard Payne University at Gordon Wood Stadium. The win improved the War Hawks' record to 3-4 on the year and was the team's first in the American Southwest Conference (1-3) since rejoining the league.
Defensive back
Jordan Washington had his third-consecutive game with a "pick-6" interception return for a touchdown, as well as four picks in those three contests. Washington had a 93-yard interception return in the second quarter, just one yard shy of the McM school record (94) set in 1961.
But Washington wasn't the only defensive player to score. Midway through the third stanza, lineman
Darius Brooks scooped up a Yellow Jacket fumble on the McM 20 and rumbled 80 yards the other way, setting a school record for longest fumble recovery return.
It was also McMurry's eighth defensive score of the season and 22nd takeaway.
After holding HPU to 75 yards of offense in the first half, McM allowed a total of just 180 net yards of total offense for the game.
The War Hawks dominated from the outset. At the 3:08 mark of the first quarter, quarterback
B.J. Ross hit
Jeremiah Jefferson with a five yard pass. The aerial capped a 15-play, 67-yard drive. The extra point made it 7-0. But it was a second-quarter blitz that helped the War Hawks salt away the game early.
A 28-yard field goal from
Tanner Wright and eight-yard TD run by Ross, sandwiched Washington's score and helped the visitors build a 24-0 halftime cushion.
With just Brooks' fumble return in the third stanza, 10m fourth quarter points from McM – as well as HPU's lone score – made it the 41-6 final. McMurry's points came via a 36-yard field goal from Wright and a 34-yard TD strike from
Kevin Hurley Jr. to
Jacob Metcalf. The touchdown pass was both Hurley's first collegiate TD throw and Frederick's first college reception.
McMurry's 362-yard offensive effort was led by Ross' 91 rushing yards and 106 passing yards (13-for-25).
Kelvaughn Hayes carried eight times for 61 yards. 10 different receivers had catches for the War Hawks.
Wright also extended his extra-point kicks streak to a perfect 31-for-31, with five more PATs made against the Yellow Jackets.
