Box Score GAME BOXSCORE

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - Junior running back Drew Hagler (Anson, Texas) reached the end zone twice, and freshman quarterback Jess Hoel (Abernathy, Texas) fired his first McMurry University touchdown pass, highlighting the season opener Thursday, Aug. 31.

Head coach Jordan Neal's War Hawks trailed 20-0 going into the final stanza. However, the resilient crew closed the deficit to 20-19 but couldn't overcome Birmingham Southern College in the late stages. The 19-point final stanza flurry nearly allowed the visitors to offset four turnovers and capture the program's first season opener victory since 2015.

Hagler's two paydirt strikes, a personal single-game best, emphasized a 12-carry, 31-yard outing at War Memorial Stadium. The air attack amassed 355 yards to guide the War Hawks, as Hoel was impressive in his debut, going 32-for-48. The El Paso, Texas, wide-out connection of senior Kristopher Martin and sophomore Karmelus Card were his top targets, as Martin hauled in nine receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown, and Card grabbed seven receptions for 107 yards.

McMurry's defense played a key role in attempting to subdue the turnover issues and keep the Maroon and White close. They surrendered less than 150 yards on the ground, forced a turnover and collected five tackles for losses of which four were sacks. Junior linebacker Marshall Tovar proved a thorn in the side of the Panther offense throughout with two sacks and three solo tackles. Sophomore defensive back Kimani Smith (Austin, Texas) picked off a BSC aerial attempt, and junior defensive back Damon Dozier, Jr., (Royse City, Texas) topped the unit's tackle chart with 12 of which 10 were solo.

The War Hawks resume three straight road contests to begin 2023 with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 9.