Oct. 2, 2004

Final Stats

BROWNWOOD, Texas - Hardin-Simmons displayed its power running attack and opportunistic defense in a 49-26 pounding of Howard Payne in American Southwest Conference football action, Saturday afternoon in Brownwood.

The Cowboys pounded away at the Yellowjackets with 313 yards on the ground. HSU has gone for over 300 yards on the ground in all four games this season. The Cowboys added 121 yards through the air, which was the lowest passing total at HSU since 2000 when the Cowboys had just 114 in a 10-9 win over HPU.

Howard Payne took the opposite strategy in the game as they threw the ball 62 times, mostly on short plays that let the wide receivers run in space. Adam King completed 38 passes for 415 yards for the Jackets. HPU was only able to muster 22 rushing yards in 25 attempts.

The contrasting styles came to almost the same total in total offense with HSU gaining 434 yards and Howard Payne netting 437. But the scoreboard is what mattered and the Cowboys were able to keep the Jackets at bay, building a 42-10 lead through three quarters.

Howard Payne struck first in the game, driving the opening kickoff 72 yards in 10 plays, but HSU stiffened in the red zone and made Drew McMaster kick a 28-yard field goal. The Cowboys then drove right down the field but Jordan Neal was picked off in the end zone.

The game then turned on Howard Payne's ensuing drive. HPU refused to throw the ball towards All-American Alex Hansen most of the day and decided to try to pick on the other side. Sophomore cornerback Will Galusha had other ideas as he picked off a King pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Shane McCord's PAT made it 7-3 and the Cowboys never trailed.

The Jackets went three and out in their next series and then got a full dose of Lance Moore. The Cowboy senior, who had 96 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries, toted the ball four times for 42 yards, including a four-yarder to cap a six-play, 54-yard drive to give the Cowboys a 14-3 lead with 14:10 to go in the first half.

Jim Abbate's defense came right back and stopped Howard Payne on three plays to give the Cowboys the ball back and quarterback Jordan Neal drove the Cowboys five plays and 27 yards for a score. The drive was set-up by a Jared May 30-yard punt return and was capped by a 24-yard pass from Neal to Josh Howard.

Howard Payne drove for a score right before halftime, going 96 yards and 10 plays. King did the honors from three yards out. The Cowboys had two penalties on the drive.

HSU put the game away after halftime, taking the kickoff and driving 6-plays and 80 yards. Neal had a 15 yard run to start the drive then Moore ran for six, then five yards. A 31-yard pass to Matt Epperson from Neal got it to the 23 and Moore rushed five yards and then went off tackle 18 yards for his 10th touchdown of the season.

On the next HPU drive Richard Sullivan recovered a fumble and HSU took over at the HPU nine. Neal scored on a draw from nine yards out to make it 35-10. The defense came right back with a three-and-out and then HSU put the game on ice when Triandos Sherrard went 46 yards on a running play for a touchdown, making it 42-10 with 7:32 to go in the third quarter.

King led the Yellowjackets to two late touchdowns and added two point conversions. Those scores were sandwiched by a Donta' Hayward 7-yard touchdown run.

Brent Gailey led the Cowboy defense with 14 tackles. Ruben Reyes had three tackles for 31 yards in losses, including two sacks.

HSU improved to 4-0 on the year and 3-0 in ASC play. Howard Payne fell to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in ASC play. HSU hosts Sul Ross State on Saturday for the second time this season.

--- HSU Athletics ---