BATESVILLE, Ark. – McMurry set itself up for a share of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference crown with a 28-0 win over Lyon on Saturday.
 
A win next week on Senior Day at home against Centenary would give McMurry a tie with Texas Lutheran for the league crown at 7-1 and give the War Hawks their best record since going 8-3 in 2012.
 
Quarterback Jess Hoel threw for one touchdown and ran for two more before Timothy Leatherman recorded his third pick-six of the season in the fourth quarter.
 
The War Hawk defense got it first shutout of the season and held its opponent out of the end zone for the fourth time this season. It limited the Scots to five first downs and 147 yards of total offense.
 
The McMurry offense had 495 yards of total offense, overcoming the rain and some slick field conditions.
 
Hoel passed for 198 yards and run for 111.
 
"A great day to be a War Hawk," said McMurry head coach Jordan Neal. "Defense was stellar yet again, and offensively we mixed it up with run and pass and Jess led us through some tough weather conditions. We are excited about coming home for senior day and an opportunity to be SCAC co-champions."
 
On the first scoring drive of the day, Hoel passed to Kyle Canada for 17 yards and Drew Hagler had an 18-yard run but the War Hawks faced a third and nine from the 17. Hoel dropped back to pass and dodged a couple of sack attempts before scrambling to his left and crossing the goal line. Jax Rodriguez added the first of his four PAT kicks for a 7-0 lead with 7:43 left in the first quarter.
 
After a muffed kickoff by Lyon, McMurry was back in business. After runs of 11 yards by Tre Alvarez and 10 yards by Jack Ishmael, Hoel and Kristopher Martin combined for an 18-yard TD pass. McMurry had a 14-0 lead with 63 seconds left in the opening quarter.
 
McMurry went 68 yards on five plays to score its final offensive touchdown with 1:57 left in the half. Hoel completions of 31 yards to Karmelus Card and 11 yards to Martin got the War Hawks to the 26. Hoel scored from there with a 26-yard keeper for a 21-0 lead.
 
Leatherman, who took two interceptions to the house against Lyon when the teams met in Abilene in September, made his encore performance with a 48-yard return for a 28-0 lead with 11:14 to go in the game.
 
Drew Hagler rushed for 56 yards and Ishmael added 45. Martin led the receiving corps with six catches for 90 yards.
 
In addition to his pick-six, Leatherman had six tackles, three tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Jackson Harris, CJ Kidd, Kane Strohman and Dorian LeBlanc also logged sacks and Zachariah Mitchell had two tackles for loss.
 
The War Hawks finish the season at home on Saturday, hosting Centenary at noon.