McMurry University had little problem in beating Howard Payne University 45-21 Saturday, Oct. 21 at Wilford Moore Stadium.

After spotting the opponent a first-quarter touchdown, the War Hawks scored 21 unanswered.

The touchdown rampage started at the 14:16 mark in the second quarter when junior linebacker Marshall Tovar (Willow Park, Texas) tore through the opponent's line, blocked a punt and took the ball 15 yards to the end zone. Senior Jared Mendoza (Fort Worth, Texas) kicked the extra point to tie the score 7-7.

Seven minutes later, McMurry took the lead on a 29-yard strike from freshman quarterback Jess Hoel (Abernathy, Texas) to freshman wide receiver Brett Kindle (Grand Saline, Texas). Mendoza's extra point kick was good. The War Hawk offense kept rolling with a 15-yard scoring scamper by junior running back Drew Hagler (Anson, Texas) with 2 minutes 26 seconds left in the second quarter. Mendoza tacked on the extra point.

The War Hawks led 21-14 at the half.

McMurry padded the lead with a 33-yard field goal by Mendoza with 2:05 left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter featured three touchdowns, including two in a 41-second span, by the War Hawks.

Hoel threw a 25-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Thomas Chandler (Waco, Texas) at the 12:05 mark and a 26-yard pass to Kindle at the 6:58 mark. Hagler threw a 13-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Karmelus Card (El Paso, Texas) at the 6:17 mark. Mendoza had all three extra-point kicks.

Offensively, Hagler had 12 carries for 81 yards, Hoel was 22 of 30 for 238 yards and Hagler was 3 of 5 for 24 yards, and Kindle had 5 catches for 99 yards.

On defense, junior defensive back Timothy Leatherman (Ingram, Texas) had 9 tackles (8 solo, 1 assisted) including 1 for loss of yards, and 1 pass breakup; senior defensive back Christopher Baker (Arlington, Texas) had 6 tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted); sophomore defensive back Kimani Smith (Austin, Texas) had 4 solo tackles and 1 interception; sophomore lineman Dorian LeBlanc (Beaumont, Texas) had 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted), 1 sack for 3-yard loss, 2 tackles for loss of 7 yards, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery; freshman lineman Jackson Harris (Kilgore, Texas) had 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted), 2 sacks for loss of 16 yards, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery; Junior Damon Dozier JR (Royse City, Texas) had 2 solo tackles and 1 pass breakup.

The War Hawks, 3-4 overall, host Austin College for McMurry's homecoming at 1 p.m. Oct. 28.