MARSHALL, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' football team claimed its first outright American Southwest Conference title since 2004 as they closed the season with a 42-27 win at East Texas Baptist to close the regular season.
The Cowboys took the opening kickoff and drove 52 yards in 10 plays with
Colton Marshall capping the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. The defense came out and forced a punt and the Cowboys answered with a 93-yard drive in seven plays.
Gaylon Glynn hit
Tailon Garrett on a 52-yard touchdown pass over the top.
The defense forced another quick punt and
Dameon Gomes returned it for a touchdown but he was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty and the TD came off the board and the Cowboys took over at the 20-yard line after the penalty. Marshall scored his second touchdown of the game three plays later from 12 yards out to make it 21-0 with :20 to play in the first quarter.
HSU added an 84-yard touchdown pass from Glynn to K.J. Peoples and Marshall added a 7-yard touchdown run for the Cowboys in the first half. ETBU's lone touchdown of the first half came on a Jaden Thomas 3-yard run. HSU led 35-7 at halftime. Glynn completed 12-of-13 passes for 258 yards and two TDs in the first half as HSU rolled up 344 yards of offense.
ETBU scored on the opening drive of the second half when Carlos Garibay hit Zay Thomas on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys responded with a 13-play 75-yard drive. Cowboy senior defensive back
DeMarcus Coleman got in on the fun as he scored on a 3-yard touchdown run on the only carry of his career.
The Tigers added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Myles Featherston had 105 yards on 17 carries.
Colton Marshall had 70 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. He is now fourth on the career rushing touchdown charts at HSU. Garrett had 135 yards on nine catches and Peoples had 98 yards.
Glynn finished 17-of-23 for 297 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He went over 4,000 passing yards for his career. HSU had 530 yards of offense in the game.
Mekahi Coleman led the Cowboys with nine tackles and the defense combined for five sacks.
Brock Bujnoch had his second interception of the season and
Jaymarcus Wilson also added a pick.
HSU is now 9-1 on the year and finished 6-0 in league play. ETBU fell to 5-5 on the year and to 3-3 ASC play.
The Cowboys will play in the first round of the NCAA playoffs next Saturday at noon. The opponent and location will be announced on Sunday at 4 p.m. on NCAA.com.
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