Cowboys Shut Down Wildcats in 21-6 Win

Sept. 16, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons welcomed Linfield College to town for a battle of top 11 teams in the nation and it was a timely Cowboy defense and a efficient offense that led HSU to a 21-6 win Saturday night at Shelton Stadium.

The Cowboy defense limited the high-powered Wildcats to six points on the night. Cody Deaver and Rob Galusha ended drives with interceptions, Deaver's coming on the first series of the game in the end zone.

HSU moved the ball all night, but three turnovers inside the Linfield seven-yard line kept the game in doubt until the end. Matt Fields put the Cowboys up 7-0 on a 25-yard pass from Jordan Neal with 13:57 to go in the first half. It stayed that way until Linfield scored with three seconds remaining in the half on a Jared Thomas 32-yard pass from Tim Benzel. The snap on the PAT was high and the Cowboys took a 7-6 lead into the locker room.

The Cowboys received the ball to start the second half and Neal threw a bubble screen that looked to be snuffed out, but Mychal Carrillo fought through a tackle and scampered 66 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the half and Scott Bryant's PAT made it 14-6.

Neal capped a seven-play 55-yard drive in the third quarter with a 2-yard run and the Cowboys led 21-6. The Cowboys then drove to the seven yard line on its next possession before fumbling and appeared to ice the game late before Quinton Jones fumbled at the goal line.

Carrillo had his best night as a Cowboy, catching seven passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Matt Fields had six catches for 74 yards. Neal completed 19-of-28 passes for 281 yards and two TDs. Ke-Ke Sims had 11 tackles for the Cowboys defense.

Benzel was 20-for-34 for 217 yards and one touchdown. Jared Thomas had 10 catches for 120 yards.

No. 11 Linfield fell to 0-2 with the loss and the seventh-ranked Cowboys moved to 2-0. HSU opens conference play at Louisiana College next weekend in Pineville. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

--- HSU Athletics ---