ABILENE, Texas – Sophomore quarterback Kevin Hurley Jr. returned to the McMurry University lineup and engineered a second-half comeback, leading his team to a 42-30 Homecoming game win over Belhaven University at Wilford Moore Stadium. A crowd of 1,643 saw the War Hawks (2-4, 2-3 ASC) gain the American Southwest Conference victory and snap a four-game losing skein in homecoming contests.
 
The win by McM was also the third in as many tries versus the Blazers (1-4, 0-4 ASC) and the War Hawks' former head coach (Hal Mumme) since the series began in 2015.
 
But on Saturday, BU appeared well on its way to ruining the homecoming festivities for the McMurry faithful.  The War Hawks grabbed a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from starting signal-caller Vincent James to Trevion Harris.  But after that, the Blazers would tally 23 unanswered points heading into the halftime locker room, 23-7.
 
McM defensive coordinator Kendall Roberson used the halftime break to make some adjustments against his former boss, after BU had 305 yards of first half offense.  The tweaking working and McM gave up just 144 second-half yards to the high-powered Blazers' offense. Linebackers Josh Smith and Jacob Ferguson each had a game-high 10 tackles on the afternoon, while each also produced a sack, as well. Junior defensive lineman Kristopher Vasquez swatted down three pass attempts by BU quarterback Watson Fondern.
 
Meanwhile, on the offensive side, head coach Lance Hinson gave the controls to Hurley – who had been the starter until being injured two weeks ago at Sul Ross State - in the second half and the sophomore responded in a big way.  Hurley would finish the game with four passing touchdowns and 245 aerial yards.  He completed 11-of-14 passing attempts.
 
Freshman Justin Eaton was the main benefactor of Hurley's throws, notching his second-consecutive 100-plus yard receiving game.  Eaton corralled three passes for 118 yards and a pair of third quarter TDs that got the War Hawks back into the game. The first came with 7:51 left in the third when – on a second-and-seven from the McM 37 - Hurley found Eaton, who caught the ball and wove his way through the defense for the score. Tanner Wright's extra-point kick made it 23-14.
 
On the ensuing  series, the Blazers were forced to punt from their own 42. An errant punt snap was covered up on BU 20, giving the War Hawks great field position. Hurley hit Tanner Clark for 10 yards on the first play. On the second attempt, Hurley and Eaton hooked up once again to cover the final 10 yards and cut the deficit to 23-21.
 
Entering the final quarter and still trailing by two points, McM wasted little time in retaking the upper hand. This time it was sophomore Eriel Dorsey hauling in the third of Hurley's touchdown throws. The 22-yard aerial capped a six-play, 80-yard drive that, with the PAT kick, made it 28-23 in favor of the hosts.
 
McMurry extended its advantage on its next possession. Jacob Metcalf and Hurley made good on a 51-yard pass-and-catch and suddenly the War Hawks found themselves ahead 35-23.  But Belhaven came right back with 9:02 left to play to make it an uncomfortable 35-30 lead for McM.
 
With 5:33 to play, BU gave the ball over on downs – thanks to a key tackle-for-loss by Ferguson on fourth down – to set up McMurry's final score and provide some insurance. A seven-yard touchdown run by Doyle Hughes (15 carries/62 yards) made it the final 42-30 score with 2:01 on the clock.
 
The War Hawks will return to the road next Saturday at Louisiana College.