ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University football team closed out the 2018 season on a down note, losing an 83-6 decision to No. 7/8 Hardin-Simmons University on the road. The War Hawks finished the 2018 season 2-8 overall and 2-7 in the American Southwest Conference, while the Cowboys improved to 9-1 on the year and 8-1 in ASC play.
The result was never really in doubt early-on, as HSU – which is fighting for an NCAA III post-season berth – blitzed McM with 35 first quarter points and led at the intermission, 49-6. The Cowboys added 21 points in the third and 13 in the fourth.
The War Hawks lone score of the day came at 10:37 of the second quarter. Down by the 35-0 score, McMurry embarked on an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Junior quarterback
Kevin Hurley Jr. completed passes to five different receivers in the series, culminating in a seven-yard touchdown strike to
Trevion Harris. The extra point kick failed.
McMurry's defense found the going tough versus a potent HSU offensive attack that rolled up 676 yards of total offense, 392 of which came on the ground. The War Hawks managed 164 total yards, 67 rushing and 97 via the pass.
On defense, sophomore linebacker
Josh Smith topped the team in tackles in a game for the ninth time in 10 contests. Smith had 10 total stops, six solo. Fellow linebacker
Xavier Dunn was close behind with nine tackles, with defensive backs Reagan Miler and
Bryson Barrett booking seven tackles, apiece.
