7/8 Hardin-Simmons (2-0) vs. Louisiana Christian (2-1)
Sept. 20 | 1 pm | Shelton Stadium | Abilene, Texas
Full Game Notes | Broadcast | Livestats | Tickets
 
The Opening Kickoff
The Cowboys will play their first day game of the season when it hosts former conference rival Louisiana Christian. It will be the first game between the two teams since LC left the conference in 2019. This is the first meeting between the two since 2019. Hardin-Simmons won 51-6 in Pineville. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. LC is a NAIA scholarship school now and even as a non-scholarship school the Cowboys have had great success against scholarship teams since joining Division III in the 1996-97 season. HSU is 18-1 against Division II and NAIA schools over that time frame. HSU has won the last 13 meetings against a scholarship school.
 
Winning The Close Ones
HSU has opened the season with a pair of one-score games, which is a situation the Cowboys have had great success over the last three years. HSU is 9-1 over the last three years in one-score games. "Cowboys Find A Way" is one of the sayings the program has used for many years and that has shown up in those tight-game situations.
 
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
Hardin-Simmons will have an opportunity week next week and then will host Howard Payne in the conference opener for homecoming on Oct. 4. Five will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame including former Athletic Trainer David Stuckey and all-time leading passer Justin Feaster. The other three are soccer players Katie Kuykendall and Brian Nelson and men's basketball player Mardochee Jean.
 
In The Polls
Hardin-Simmons is now No. 8 in the D3football.com poll and No. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association ranking. HSU has been ranked for 105 straight weeks and in the top 10 for 67 of those weeks.
 
A Cowboys Win Would
? Be the 521st in school history.
? Be the sixth straight win over Louisiana Christian (Louisiana College).
? Be the 16th straight regular-season home win.
? Be the 110th in the Jesse Burleson era.
 
HSU-LC Series
HSU leads the all-time series between the two teams, 14-5, and has won seven of the eight games played in Abilene. The Cowboys are 6-3 against Louisiana Christian under Jesse Burleson. Inside Shelton Stadium, HSU has won eight of the nine meetings.
 
About The Wildcats 
Louisiana Christian comes into the game with a 2-1 record after a pair of exciting finishes in their last two games. They scored twice in the final 4:34 to rally past Wayland Baptist last week, 43-37. Jaterrius Johns 31-yard run with 1:33 gave them the lead and Kylon Polk intercepted a pass on the WBU ensuing drive. The Wildcats had 611 yards of offense in that game. The previous week they scored on a 2-yard run by Datlan Cunningham with 1:38 to play to beat Langston 31-24. They lost 54-9 to Division I McNeese State in their opener. The Wildcats are averaging 383.3 yards per game and allowing 485 per contest. Cunningham has 173 yards rushing on the year to lead the ground game, freshman quarterback Bryce Perkins has thrown for 688 yards and two TDs with five interceptions and E.J. Scott has 271 yards receiving. Polk leads the defense with 26 tackles.       
 
Keeping The Trophy
Hardin-Simmons jumped out to a 24-3 first-half lead and held on for an exciting 24-19 win over crosstown foe McMurry to reclaim the Wilford Moore Trophy for another year. HSU is now 23-1 all-time in the game for the trophy.  
 
Coaching Their Alma Mater
A unique aspect of this week's matchup between Louisiana Christian and Hardin-Simmons is that both head coaches are coaching their alma mater. Ben McLaughlin, a former player for Louisiana Christian (then Louisiana College), and Jesse Burleson for Hardin-Simmons. McLaughlin holds the American Southwest Conference career record for most passes attempted, completed, highest completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
Caden Calls Game
Junior defensive lineman Caden Sampson-Stuckey took matters into his own hands on Saturday. With McMurry with the ball in Cowboy territory trying for a go-ahead score, Sampson-Stuckey buried McMurry quarterback Dylan Plake with a sack to stop the threat and seal the win. It was the second straight year the War Hawks had the ball late with a chance to go-ahead and the Cowboys stopped them both times.
 
First Starts
Sophomore linebacker Brandt Patek and defensive end Larry Smith-Bell earned their first career starts in the game against McMurry. Patek finished the game with four tackles and Smith-Bell had 3 tackles, including 2.5 for losses and his first career sack.
 
Pick Six
Junior safety Mike Akinbisola recorded his first career interception and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown in the game. He finished the day with six tackles, an interception and also added a pass break-up.
 
Douglas Has Career Day
Senior slot back Wes Douglas had his first 100-yard game as a Cowboy as he had six catches for 152 yards. He scored the first touchdown of the game for the Cowboys on a 62-yard pass from Kyle Brown. He was named the ASC Offensive player of the week for his effort. 
 
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go
Senior defensive end Mark Champion had his best game as a Cowboy. He recorded a career-best eight tackles. His previous career high was six tackles and it also came against McMurry last season. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. His nine tackles lead the defensive linemen on the year.
 
House Gets First Pick of the Season
Keyon House recorded his first interception of the season and the second of his career with a pick on the first play of the second half for McMurry.
 
Forcing Turnovers
The Cowboy defense has forced a turnover in six straight games dating back to last season. The last game where the defense did not force a turnover was against ETBU on October 26th.
 
Turner Has Solid Day Punting
Sophomore punter Kaden Turner had a solid, but painful night. He averaged 37.5 yards on his four punts and put one inside the 20. He also was roughed with a late hit on a punt that allowed the Cowboys to maintain possession. 
 
Down The Field
Senior quarterback Kyle Brown has pushed the ball down the field. The Cowboys are averaging almost 10 yards per pass attempt on the year and are averaging 18.1 yards per completion.
 
 

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