SPOKANE, Wash. – Hardin-Simmons' football team went to the Pacific Northwest and came home with a 27-7 win over Whitworth in an impressive season-opening win.

The Cowboys methodically moved the ball to the tune of 436 yards and the defense limited the Pirates to 225 yards of total offense.

HSU got on the board in the first quarter when Justin Feaster took a keeper seven yards to cap a 11-play, 64-yard drive with 3:13 to play in the first quarter. The drive came after the Cowboy defense had forced a three-and-out after a 70-yard punt by freshman Brandon Abbott.

HSU went ahead 14-0 when Feaster again capped a drive with a rushing touchdown. This time from three yards out to end an 8-play, 80-yard drive with 1:51 to play in the first half. The Cowboys forced a quick three and out and HSU drove back to scoring territory, but Feaster was picked off in the end zone to end the first half.

Whitworth recovered an on-side kick to start the second half, but couldn't move it and the Cowboys held on fourth down. HSU was driving inside the Whitworth 20 again but Steven Rockwell fumbled. Whitworth then stalled and tried a fake punt that the Cowboys stuffed. Thomas Labian then scored on a 9-yard pass from Feaster to make it 20-0.

The Cowboys bottled up Whitworth most of the game, but Adam Anderson scored from 10 yards out to make it 20-7 with 2:21 to play in the third quarter.

HSU sealed the game with a 47-yard interception return by L.C. Cisneroz.

Steven Rockwell had 92 yards rushing and Derrick Grant added 73. ZaVious Robbins had 10 catches for 134 yards in his return to the Cowboy lineup. Feaster completed 18-of-23 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown.

Hank Hornsby had seven tackles, including two sacks and Joe Sanders had nine tackles in his Cowboy debut.

The Cowboys are now 1-0 and will host Willamette at 6 p.m. next weekend in Abilene.