SHERMAN, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' football team clinched the American Southwest Conference title with a 59-19 win over Austin College on Saturday afternoon in Sherman

Cason Hanna intercepted an Austin College pass and ran it back 24 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game and the Cowboys never trailed in the contest. 

The Kangaroos answered with a 23-yar field goal from John Aldridge. 

On their first offensive possession, the Cowboys drove 65 yards in nine plays and Noah Garcia capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. After a defensive stop, the offense pushed the ball right down the field and Colton Marshall scored on a 13-yard touchdown run. 

AC scored on a 18-yard touchdown pass from Jaylon Talton to Colin Mushinski to make the score 21-10 with 12:00 to play in the first half. 

Gaylon Glynn hit Tailon Garrett on a 13-yard touchdown pass and A.J. Hawkins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run on the next two Cowboys possessions to make the score 35-10. Andy Prazak nailed a 28-yard field goal with :20 remaining in the half to give the Cowboys a 38-10 lead at halftime. 

HSU churned out 19 first owns and 371 yards of offense in the first half. 

K.J. Peoples took the opening kickoff of the second half back 97 yards for a touchdown. It was his second kickoff return for a touchdown this season. 

HSU forced a quick three-and-out and Dameon Gomes returned the ensuing punt 80 yards for a touchdown. It was his second punt return touchdown for the year. He now has 420 punt return yards on the year, which is a new school record, surpassing the old record of 417 by Barry Donham. 

The outcome was not in doubt and the Cowboys were able to play a ton of players in the second half. 

Austin College scored a 43-yard field goal from Aldridge and a Ben Meraz 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. 

Myles Featherston added a 12-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. 

Gaylon Glynn was 17-of-25 for 234 yards in the contest for the Cowboys. Garrett had six catches for 115 yards and Peoples had seven catches for 105 yards. 

The Cowboy defense recorded six sacks in the game. Colton Grimes and Cade Michna each had 1.5 sacks.

The Cowboys (8-1, 5-0 ASC) will close the regular season at East Texas Baptist next Saturday at 1 p.m. in Marshall. Austin College fell to 1-8 overall and 0-5 in league play. 

— www.hsuathletics.com —