ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University will play its home opener on Saturday, welcoming Texas College to Wilford Moore Stadium. The War Hawks come into the contest looking for their first win of the season after last Saturday's opening loss, while the Steers are no doubt equally bummed about their 0-2 start to 2016.
 
This is the fourth meeting between the teams. McM leads the all-time series, 3-0, and TC has never scored on McMurry (157-0 in points over the three previous bouts).
 
Texas College lost to NCAA II foe Lane  College, 44-6, in its season opener. Last week, the Steers fell to American Southwest Conference opponent Louisiana College, 49-18, on its home turf.
 
On its side, McM lost a season-opening game for the first time in the three-year tenure of head coach Lance Hinson at the War Hawks' helm, when they were defeated, 24-17, at Southwestern University last Saturday.
 
Other than Louisiana College - which McM will play the second-to-last week of the season (Nov. 5) - these two teams will have one other common foe. The War Hawks will play Langston University next Saturday (Sept. 24) at home, while the Steers take on LU on October 29 in Tyler.
 
Texas College is averaging 270.5 yards per game in total offense, has struggled somewhat on the ground with an average of just over 71 yards per outing. While taking care of the ball with no fumbles rushing, the Steers have thrown eight interceptions in their two games.
 
In its lost at Southwestern, it was the McMurry defense which accounted for the bulk of the points, thanks to a pair of first quarter "pick-6" interception returns by Patrick Morrison (89 yards) and Jamir Bowser (26 yards), helping McM to an eventual 17-0 lead.
 
But the War Hawks were out-scored the rest of the way by the Pirates, 24-0. The McMurry offense sputtered, as well, managing just 99 total yards (40 rushing/59 passing).  Freshman kicker Tanner Wright had his first collegiate points with a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter.
 
Defensive back Jordan Washington had 11 tackles to lead either team.  Decorian Johnson added nine stops, J.R. Arroyo eight tackles (seven solo) and Jacob Ferguson seven tackles (all solo).  Charles Smith, Ryan McBeth and Arian Torres each had six tackles each.