ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons football team overcame a day full of rain and lightning delays to record a 33-14 win over Howard Payne in American Southwest Conference action at Shelton Stadium. 

Steven Rockwell had 152 yards and four touchdowns and the Hardin-Simmons defense forced five fumbles on a sloppy night.

The game that was slated to start at 1 p.m. finally began at 6:50 and was delayed again at 8:38 with 8:00 to play in the third quarter. The teams came back on the field at 9:45 and finished the game at 10:27.

HSU got on the board first when Steven Rockwell capped an 8-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:58 to play in the first quarter. Logan Simpson had set up the short field with a 42-yard punt return. 

HPU answered with a 44-yard D.L. Brake touchdown run up the middle to tie the game. Marcus McAdoo then gave HPU a 14-7 lead with a 2-yard touchdown run after HSU fumbled a snap on a punt.

HSU then went 52 yards in 10 plays and Rockwell capped it with a 2-yard touchdown run with 10:50 to play in the second quarter. 

Scott Newberry scored the next six points to give HSU a 20-14 lead on a pair of field goals. The first came from 27 yards with 6:49 to play in the first half and he made it 20-14 with a 32-yarder with 12:26 to play in the third quarter.

Rockwell scored right after the second rain delay from 1-yard out and added an 18-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

HSU had 190 yards on the ground and 315 yards of offense. HPU had just 185 yards, all on the ground.

Zach Stewart was 9-for-18 for 125 yards in his first career start at quarterback for the Cowboys. 

Hardin-Simmons is now 3-3 on the year and 1-3 in ASC play. Howard Payne fell to 1-5 and 1-3 in league play. HSU plays at Sul Ross State on Saturday in Alpine.

--- HSU ---