ABILENE, Texas — No. 9 Hardin-Simmons' defense overwhelmed rival Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Noah Garcia rushed for two first-quarter touchdowns as the Cowboys rolled to a 34-7 win Saturday at Shelton Stadium in the latest chapter of the ASC's most defining rivalry.

Garcia broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the game, and the Cowboys (5-0, 2-0 ASC) never looked back. The senior tailback finished with 123 yards and two scores on 20 carries as HSU notched its fourth straight regular-season win over the Crusaders.

Mary Hardin-Baylor (2-3, 1-1 ASC) was held to just 183 yards of total offense and didn't score until the final two minutes. HSU's defense forced two turnovers, limited the Crusaders to 45 yards rushing on 27 attempts and got its biggest play when safety Harrison Foster intercepted a pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

HSU built a 20-0 halftime lead on Garcia's two scores and a pair of field goals from junior kicker Pedro Altamirano (22 and 34 yards). Braylon Henry punched in a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Foster's pick-six made it 34-0 with 14:01 left.

Quarterback Kyle Brown managed the game efficiently, completing 15 of 20 passes for 136 yards with no turnovers. Dozie Ifeadi led the receivers with three catches for 47 yards, and Wes Douglas added four receptions for 30 yards. HSU outgained UMHB 351-183 and controlled possession for more than 32 minutes.

UMHB quarterback Seth Mouser threw for 101 yards and one late touchdown to B.J. Stewart, who finished with six receptions for 21 yards. Asa Osbourn led the Crusaders with 40 yards rushing.

Defensively, linebacker Kaiden Roden led HSU with 12 tackles. The Cowboys recorded four tackles for loss and broke up 11 passes. Altamirano also booted five touchbacks on seven kickoffs.

The teams have now met four times in the last 11 HSU games. HSU has now won four straight regular-season meetings between the two teams. The victory extended the Cowboys' dominance at home to 18 of their last 19 games

The Cowboys wrap up a four-game homestand and hit the road for the first time since early September when they visit East Texas Baptist next Saturday in Marshall. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
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