ABILENE, Texas -  McMurry University football will close the curtain on the 2018 season on Saturday, traveling to No. 7/8 Hardin-Simmons University at Shelton Stadium. Kickoff on the north side of town is slated for 1 p.m.
 
The War Hawks (2-7, 2-6 ASC) will be trying to snap a three-game skid, while the Cowboys (8-1, 7-1 ASC) are riding a four-game win skein since their only loss of the year (to No. 2-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor).
 
 
GAME NOTES:
THE SERIES:  This is the 32nd meeting between these teams. HSU leads the series, 27-4.
 
WHEN LAST THEY MET:  The McMurry University football team battled No. 5-ranked Hardin-Simmons University strong, before eventually falling by a 28-0 score at Wilford Moore Stadium. McM was within two scores – 14-0 – at halftime and through the fourth quarter versus its nationally-ranked crosstown rival. Hardin-Simmons tallied a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns – one following a War Hawks fumble – to extend its advantage late.
 
McMurry was out-gained in total offense – 421 to 207 – for the contest.  But the War Hawks' defense had several key stops and a pair of takeaways to keep things close. The War Hawks ground game was limited to 55 yards. The McM rushing total was hampered by four HSU sacks, resulting in 38 yards of losses.
 
Offensively, the bulk of the War Hawks' offense against the stingy HSU defense came via the arm of quarterback Kevin Hurley Jr.  Hurley completed 12-of-25 passes for 144 yards.  Eriel Dorsey had three catches for 30 yards.
 
Linebacker Josh Smith had a game-leading 11 tackles – eight solo – for the McM defensive unit. Smith also had 1.5 sacks for six yards of losses to his credit.
 
HSU 2018 AT-A-GLANCE: Ranked No. 7/8 in the NCAA Division III national polls, the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys (8-1, 7-1 ASC) had its only "blemish" on its 2018 record come from a loss to No. 2-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor
 
MCM 2018 AT-A-GLANCE: McMurry will be looking to snap a three-game skid, coming off last week's 62-7 loss at home to East Texas Baptist. The War Hawks' wins have come over Belhaven University and Sul Ross State University.
 
A TIP-OF-THE BEAK TO THE SENIORS!: 9 McMurry War Hawks will be playing their final college football game today. Additionally, 32 Cowboys' players will be honored in their final regular season game. Congratulations to all of these young men for their contributions to their respective programs!
 
WAR HAWKS DORSEY-LESS FOR HSU: McM wide receiver Eriel Dorsey  - who leads the ASC in Receiving Yards per game (102.3), Receptions per game (6.4) and All-Purpose Yards (133.4 y.p.g.) - will miss Saturday's season finale for McM after suffering a broken ankle late in last week's loss to ETBU.
 
WAR HAWKS AMONG ASC LEADERS:  
*QB Kevin Hurley ranks 3rd in the ASC in Passing Yards per game, averaging 224.7 yards through the air per outing. He is also #4 in Total Offense at 231.3 y.p.g.
*As a team, McM is #2 in Passing Offense (263.4).
*Spencer Knox is #1 in the ASC in Kickoff Returns, at 22.5 yards per return in his 18 attempts.
*Sophomore linebacker Josh Smith ranks #1 in the ASC for Total Tackles, at 11.8 per game...including the most solo tackles (59) among the ASC's tackle leaders.
*McM freshman Darreion McLean and senior Darius Brooks rank No. 5 in the ASC with 0.56 sacks per game each in 2018.
*McM is the second-least penalized team in the ASC,
averaging 51.4 yards in penalties per game...and also #3 in drawing Opponent Penalty Yards (72.8 y.p.g.).