BROWNWOOD, Texas – The McMurry University football team will take to the road on Saturday, looking to log its first win of the 2018 campaign versus longtime rival Howard Payne University. Kickoff at Gordon Wood Stadium is slated for 7 p.m.
 
The War Hawks enter the contest with a record of 0-2 overall and 0-1 in American Southwest Conference play.  The Yellow Jackets are 0-1 overall and the match-up versus McM will be their ASC opener.
 
Both clubs will be looking to get their respective offenses on track after somewhat slow starts, thus far. Each unit is averaging 3.0 points per game heading into Saturday's clash.
 
NOTES:
THE SERIES:  This is the 77th meeting between these teams. HPU leads the series, 45-29-2.
 
OLD FRIENDS:  At 76 previous meetings, the series versus HPU is the second-most contested in school history. The War Hawks have only played Sul Ross State (87 meetings) more times in its previous 92 seasons.
 
WHEN LAST THEY MET:  Then sophomore quarterback Kevin Hurley Jr. handled matters with both his arm and his feet, leading the McMurry University football team to its first win of the season by topping Howard Payne University, 33-21. On the ground, Hurley ran for 102 yards on eight carries, including a 22-yard touchdown jaunt in the first quarter. Hurley's rushing total was the most by a McMurry signal-caller in a game since Rashon Lewis carried 21 times for 138 yards versus Hardin-Simmons in 2007. Through the air, Hurley completed a sterling .739 percent of his pass attempts, 13-of-23. Hurley had a pair of aerial TDs, as well, both to wide receiver Trevion Harris. Hurley and Harris connected on scoring passes of 12 yards in the first quarter and 23 in the second. That firepower helped McMurry jump out to a 27-0 halftime lead and a 30-0 advantage early in the third stanza. The Yellow Jackets got off the deck to score their first points in the final minute of that third quarter and added a pair of fourth quarter tallies, as well.
 
HPU 2018 AT-A-GLANCE: The Howard Payne University football team committed five turnovers in a 35-3 season opening loss at George Fox University last Saturday afternoon at Stoffer Family Stadium in Newwburg, Oregon. George Fox tallied 372 yards of total offense, 209 on the ground but it was Howard Payne's four interceptions and one fumble loss that was the difference in the game. The Yellow Jackets posted 134 yards of total offense, 107 in the air.
 
MCM 2018 AT-A-GLANCE: McMurry has opened 2018 with an 0-2 record.  Last week, McMurry was unable to thwart a strong rushing attack by Southwestern University in its American Southwest Conference opener, falling by a 37-6 score at Wilford Moore Stadium. Southwestern bulled its way to 352 yards on the ground on 62 carries, led by Kalon Heim's 171 yards on 24 attempts. The War Hawks were held to 89 yards as a unit, with Doyle Hughes carrying 13 times for 56 yards. After a total of seven scoreless quarters in 2018, McMurry got off the deck early in the fourth quarter versus SU. A five-play, 54-yard drive was highlighted by a 40-yard aerial from quarterback Kevin Hurley Jr. to wide receiver Trevion Harris at 14:48 left to play. The McM defense was paced by sophomore linebacker Josh Smith. Smith had a game-leading 14 total tackles, eight of the solo variety. Smith had 3.0 tackles for loss and caused one fumble.
 
THAT'S A NO-NO!: The War Hawks lead the ASC for drawing the most opponent penalties. Thus far in 2018, McM's foes have been flagged 19 times for 235 yards (117.5 yards per game in penalty yardage).
 
IN THE ZONE...NOT: Howard Payne - along with Louisiana College - are the only two ASC schools yet to have and "red zone" opportunities in 2018.  The War Hawks are 0-3 in the "red zone."
 
ON THE CHART:  QB Kevin Hurley is ranked #19 on McMurry's career passing list with 1,742 yards. Next up at #18 Frankie Franz's 1,804 yards (1995-97) and #17 Rashon Lewis' 1,843 yards (2007).
 
SECOND TIME AROUND: McM sophomore linebacker Josh Smith is looking to repeat his 2017 season, leading the War Hawks with 87 tackles and earning ASC Freshman of the Year honors. Smith was also an All-ASC honorable mention honoree. Thus far in 2018, Smith has a team-leading 24 tackles.
 
GAME TRACKER:
*McM RADIO: KSLI 1280 AM in Abilene (6:40 p.m. pre-game). David Bacon and Jason Feltz call the action.
*LIVE AUDIO STREAM: http://1280ksli.com/listen-live
*LIVE STATS: (host school): https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hpu/
*LIVE VIDEO (host school): https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hpu/