ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University football will take on cross-town foe Hardin-Simmons University in the regular season finale, with both teams having plenty on the line as the curtain comes down on 2016. Kickoff at HSU's Shelton Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
Beyond just the "local rivalry" aspect, HSU (8-1, 4-1 ASC) is ranked #10/11 in NCAA Division III and would be in consideration for an at-large berth in the NCAA III playoffs. If McMurry (4-4, 2-3 ASC) were to upset the Cowboys and finish above the .500 mark, it would more than likely receive an invitation to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) "Victory Bowl" on Dec. 3 in Orlando, Fla. (versus Warner University).
Last week, the Cowboys thrashed East Texas Baptist University, 66-30. HSU put up 566 yards of total offense (ETBU had 465). Quarterback Ryan Breton was 22-for-28 for 361 yards and four TDs. Reese Childress had seven catches for 166 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Cory Ward had 12 tackles and one sack.
McMurry, on the other hand, is coming off of a 34-28 come-from-behind victory over Louisiana College at home, its second-consecutive victory. The McM defense had three takeaways, as defensive back
Charles Smith had nine tackles and an interception with 19 seconds left to thwart a Wildcats' drive in the McM half. Freshman quarterback
B.J. Ross threw for 224 yards (21-29) and two TDs, while rushing for 87 yards and a TD, as well.
Both Smith and Ross earned the NCCAA's national "Student-Athlete of the Week" honors on their respective sides of the ball for their efforts.
This will be the 30th meeting between Hardin-Simmons and the War Hawks. The Cowboys hold a 25-4 advantage. McMurry has defeated the Cowboys just once in the past 25 meetings, that coming in 2011 when the War Hawks took a 24-14 win. The teams met every year from 1990-2011 (and twice each season in 1995 & 1996).
The last time these teams met in 2015, the Cowboys scored a 31-13 win, as Ryan Breton came off the HSU bench to complete 17-of-22 for 301 yards and two TDs. Breton also ran for 40 yards on 11 carries.
The winner of Saturday's game receives The Wilford Moore Trophy. Moore was a standout athlete at HSU and also a Hall of Honor coach for McMurry.
