ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry University football team found its rhythm in the fourth quarter, but it would prove to be too late as No. 17 Hardin-Simmons rolled to a 91-29 win over the War Hawks across town at Shelton Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
For a second straight week, McMurry (0-8, 0-7 American Southwest Conference) had a 100-yard rusher as freshman Dee Robinson totaled 116 yards on just nine attempts, breaking off a 71-yard rush late in the game.
Playing without starting quarterback Hagen Garvin due to injury, sophomore Matt Heifner and freshman Carlos Garibay engineered the McM offense. In his first career start, Heifner finished 10-for-19 for 83 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Making his first collegiate appearance, Garibay took over in the second half and threw for three touchdowns, completing 11-of-20 passes for 171 yards.
Senior Kevin Hurley Jr. had eight catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns to lead the McMurry receiving corps, catching one touchdown from each quarterback. Sophomore Nico Porras, the team's primary punter, also reeled in two touchdown catches on two receptions for 60 yards.
Freshman Westen Halcom and sophomore Dakota Russell-David led the McMurry defense with eight tackles each, while juniors Josh Smith and Micheas Garibaldi each added five tackles.
Making his lone field goal attempt of the contest, freshman kicker Pablo Simental kept McMurry's perfect field goal streak alive with a 32-yarder sailing through in the third quarter. For the season, McMurry is 7-7 on field goal attempts.
The Cowboys (6-2, 5-2 ASC) unleashed its frustrations from last week's 15-14 setback to No. 1 UMHB, keeping their playoff hopes alive with today's win. With two scores, running back Jaquan Hemphill broke the HSU school record for career touchdowns.
McMurry will look to rebound in its final home game of the season next week, welcoming Louisiana College (2-6, 2-4 ASC) to Wilford Moore Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
