SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' football team fell to No. 6 Trinity 14-7 on Saturday afternoon in San Antonio in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The first half was played in the rain and was a defensive struggle. The Cowboys were finally able to break through with :29 left in the first half when Noah Garcia scored on a 7-yard touchdown run. It came after Gaylon Glynn had converted a fourth down on a strike over the middle to Kai Brinkerhoff two plays prior.  

Trinity came out in the second half and drove 92 yards in 19 plays and took 9:46 off the clock. Winston Hutchinson capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

On third and -six with time running down Tucker Horn hit Ryan Merrifield on a 38-yard touchdown pass to take the lead with 2:18 to play.

The Cowboys drove down the field and had one play with :01 to play and the pass into the end zone was an interception.

The defenses both came in among the national leaders and they showed up on Saturday. Trinity held the Cowboys to 219 yards and Trinity had 319 yards. The Cowboys ran for 123 yards against the Tigers defense that was allowing just 46.2 yards per game.

Noah Garcia had 68 yards rushing and a touchdown and Gaylon Glynn added 53 yards on the ground.

Davonte Nephew led the defense with 10 tackles and forced a fumble. Terrell Franklin ended his career with nine tackles and an interception. 

The Cowboys end the season with a record of 9-2 and Trinity (11-0) will advance to play Mary Hardin-Baylor next Saturday.

The game was the final game for 29 HSU seniors. HSU was able to get back to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2018. 

--- www.hsuathletics.com ---