The Opening Kickoff
Hardin-Simmons opens its home schedule this weekend with the first of six home games when it welcomes crosstown opponent McMurry for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Cowboys will not leave Abilene until Oct. 18 at East Texas Baptist. The game against McMurry marks the first at Shelton Stadium in the series since 2021. The last three have been played at McMurry. This weekend's night game is the final contest under the lights for the Cowboys this season.
 
Wilford Moore Trophy Game
Hardin-Simmons and McMurry have played the Wilford Moore Trophy game since 1998 and the Cowboys have won 23 of the 24 meetings in that time. Overall, HSU has a 34-4 record against the War Hawks and have won 10 straight. The last two games have come down to the final second and three of the last four have been decided by a touchdown or less. HSU is 18-1 all-time against McMurry at home. Four miles separate the two campuses, and this will be the last year this game counts as a non-conference game. McMurry will rejoin the American Southwest Conference in 2026.
 
On The Air
Hardin-Simmons' games will be broadcast for free on HSUAthletics.com. Al Pickett is in his 21st season in the Cowboys' play-by-play chair and 22nd overall on the broadcast team. Former Cowboy offensive lineman Ty Crain will handle the color commentary for the third straight year.
 
Up Next
The Cowboys welcome an old foe in Louisiana Christian (formerly Louisiana College) at 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Shelton Stadium. The Wildcats were in the American Southwest Conference from the time they started football in 2000 until 2019 when they dropped to NAIA. HSU is 14-5 all-time against LC. 
 
In The Polls
Hardin-Simmons remains ranked No. 6 in the nation in both the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association polls. HSU has been ranked for 104 straight weeks and in the top 10 for 66 of those weeks.
 
A Cowboys Win Would
? Be the 520th in school history.
? Be the 11th straight win over McMurry.
? Be the 15th straight regular-season home win.
? Be the 109th in the Jesse Burleson era.
 
About The War Hawks
McMurry comes into the game with a record of 0-1 after a 27-19 home loss to Southwestern in the season opener. The War Hawks fumbled on the opening possession of the game and it was returned for a touchdown and they never got back over the hump. Quarterback Jess Hoel was 30-of-45 for 314 yards and  Chandler Thomas had 10 catches for 115 yards. Bryce Neves led the War Hawks with eight tackles and a sack in the game.   
 
Business Trip
The Cowboys handled their initial test of the season a 37-30 win over Chapman in Orange, Calif. HSU rolled up 505 yards of offense, including 264 on the ground in an efficient first game. The defense allowed just 260 yards on the night and held the Panthers to 93 yards passing. A blocked kick for a touchdown and a fumble inside the 10-yard line set Chapman for two of their scores. It was the Cowboys' 11th straight season-opening win and the first in California since 1998. With the late kickoff, the Cowboys arrived home at 6 a.m. on Sunday.    
 
First Starts
Collin Hill and Keyon House at cornerback, Kade Sink and Matt Pascuzzi at linebacker, Mike McAfee at left tackle, Christian Marshall at tight end Wes Douglas at slot back all made their first career starts for the Cowboys. Sink is the only newcomer of that group as he is a transfer from North Texas. Everyone else played on the varsity last season.
 
Noah Being Noah
Senior running back Noah Garcia had his best rushing game as a Cowboy with 158 yards and a touchdown in the contest. He also had 97 yards in kickoff returns. It was the ninth 100-yard game of his career, putting him in a tie with Derrick Grant for seventh on the all-time HSU list. He also went over the 2,000-yard mark for rushing yards in his career and now stands at 2,109 yards. He moved past Patrick Baca for ninth overall in career rushing yards and needs 90 yards to pass Tevin Mitchell and 157 to pass Tommy Cupil. 
 
Hill Gets A Pick In First Career Start
Sophomore cornerback Collin Hill had an interception in his first career start at corner. The interception came in the red zone and he also had a pass break up in the end zone. He played in three games as a freshman.
Altamirano Shows Off Big Leg
Transfer placekicker Pedro Altamirano hit a 38-yard field goal that had plenty to spare in his Cowboy debut. He also was 4-of-5 on PATs and sailed three of his kickoff through the end zone for touchbacks.
 
Sims Has Best Day As A Cowboy
Senior wide receiver Kris Sims had four catches for 130 yards and a touchdown, his best day as a Cowboy. He scored the Cowboys' first touchdown on a 76-yard bomb from Kyle Brown in the first quarter. It was the second 100-yard game of his brief Cowboy career.
 
Brown Has Solid First Game
Senior quarterback Kyle Brown had a solid first game of the season as he completed 13-of-21 passes for 242 yards and a couple of scores. He also made some plays with his feet getting out of some pressure situations.
 
Thompson Has Strong First Impression
Freshman quarterback Ty Thompson had a strong debut as he was the Cowboys' short-yardage quarterback and he ran four times and converted three first downs and also added a 1-yard touchdown run.
 
Wes With The Dagger
Leading 31-23 with 3:32 to go, Kyle Brown hit senior slot back Wes Douglas over the top on a 31-yard touchdown strike that for all intents and purposes sealed the game. The pass came on third-and-five.
 
Henry Hits The Century Mark
Braylon Henry had a strong start to his sophomore season as he had 18 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown. He had a 36-yard run in the game. It was the third career 100-yard game for the speedy running back. It is the second time he and Garcia have had 100 yards in the same game with the first being last year against Howard Payne.
 
Grind It Out
The Cowboys had the ball for 34:39 in the game against Chapman and converted on 10-of-15 third downs in the contest.
 
Pup Squad
The Cowboys took 20 freshmen on the trip to Chapman and seven played in the game - quarterback Ty Thomposn, cornerback Zavyn Jenkins, safety Bruin Wright, linebacker Hayden Ferrell, safety Shawn Kazouh, offensive lineman Brant Hargrove and wide receiver Harison Brockway.
 
Quick Hits
Jesse Burleson is 10-1 against McMurry as the head coach and went 4-0 against them as a player at HSU. Under Burleson, the Cowboys are 10-4 in home openers. HSU is looking for its third straight home opening win on Saturday night. They are also 4-2 in home openers under the lights of Shelton.
 
 
 

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