Sept. 20, 2003

Final Stats

SEGUIN, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' 20th-ranked football team defeated Texas Lutheran 29-12 in a rain-filled American Southwest Conference opener for both teams, Saturday afternoon in Seguin.

The win was the Cowboys' 11th-straight win in conference openers and helped move their record to 1-1 on the season. The young Bulldogs fell to 0-2 on the year.

After forcing a punt on Texas Lutheran's first possession, the Cowboys went up top immediately and Jordan Neal hit Joe Lemberg on a 43-yard touchdown pass. After the Bulldogs fumbled on the ensuing possession, the Cowboys drove eight plays and 48 yards before Neal hit Lemberg again, this time from five-yards out with 9:55 remaining in the first quarter .

TLU withstood the Cowboys' knockout attempt early in the game and responded with a Bill Miller 23-yard touchdown to cap a four-play, 36-yard drive with 10:56 to go in the half. The play followed a Jordan Neal interception. The PAT was wide right and HSU led 14-6.

Mason Grimes hit a 25-yarde to push the Cowboy lead to 17-6 with 3:59 to go in the half.

Texas Lutheran hit again for a scored when freshman Adam Vyvial hit Darrell White on a 31-yard touchdown with :46 left in the half. The two-point try was stuffed by the Cowboys.

HSU came out of the locker room with some determination in the running game and went 72 yards and 12 plays and killed 5:28 off the clock. The drive was a capped by a 12-yard inside pitch from Neal to Triandos Sherrard.

The HSU defense came out of the locker room on a mission, allowing no points and just 119 yards in the second half. The Cowboys were able to force a fumble, picked off a pass and ended two series on downs.

After All-American cornerback Alex Hansen picked off his second pass of the day, the Cowboys drove 56 yards in four plays, capped by a Jon Williams 26-yard touchdown pass from senior Travis Jones. The PAT was blocked to set up the final score.

The game saw the two teams combine for nine turnovers. HSU had three fumbles and two interceptions and forced two fumbles and picked off two passes.

HSU had 343 yards of total offense, playing without leading receiver Shay Ratliff and All-American Matt Moskosky. Lance Moore had 16 carries for 99 yards.

The two touchdowns moved Lemberg into fourth place on the career touchdown reception list with 23. Hansen's two interceptions put him into second-place on the Cowboy's career charts. He is tied with David Rausch.

HSU will host Louisiana College in the home opener, Saturday at Shelton Stadium.