Oct. 14, 2006

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' senior quarterback Jordan Neal rebounded from one of the statistical poorest performances of his career with maybe his best day as he hit 17-of-18 passes for 292 yards and five touchdowns as the Cowboys defeated East Texas Baptist, 56-17, in American Southwest Conference football action at Shelton Stadium.

Neal hit his first 10 passes of the day and had scoring strikes of nine, 22 and 26 yards to Mychal Carrillo. He also hit a 58-yard perfectly placed pass to Matt Fields right before halftime. Fields on a 28-yard touchdown in the first drive of the third quarter and the final plays the offensive starters would play in the game.

The Cowboys took the opening kickoff 64 yards in seven plays and Neal hit Carrillo on the post. On the Cowboys next possession Justin Greene went 64 yards to cap his own 2-play 71-yard drive for 14-0 lead. ETBU kicked a 32-yard field goal by Jeremy Rinner to make it 14-3 with 1:35 to go in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Neal and Carrillo hooked up for a pair of touchdowns, that sandwiched a Frank Wilson 19-yard touchdown from Phil Van Cleave in the second half making 28-10 with 2:35 to go in the half. ETBU fumbled the ensuing kickoff when Cody Deaver smashed Kane Segura. The Cowboys marched 12 yards in three plays, with Neal capping the drive with a 9-yard run.

Deaver made another play that turned into a Cowboy touchdown, when he intercepted Van Cleave with :18 to play in the half at the 42 yard line. Neal came out firing to Fields on a bomb for 58 yards and the Cowboys had the game on cruise control, leading 42-10 at the break.

Neal found Fields from 28 yards out for the only points of the third quarter. Antroin Broom scored on a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line at the 14:16 mark of the fourth quarter. HSU ended the scoring when David Joseph picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.

Deaver had a great day for the defense with 10 tackles, a forced and recovered fumble and an interception. HSU rolled to 536 yards of offense. HSU had 384 yards of offense in the first half.

Fields caught four balls for 144 yards and two scores. Carrillo had six catches for 84 yards and three touchdowns and Will Galusha caught six balls for 60 yards. Justin Greene had 96 yards on six carries.

The win improved the Cowboys to 4-1 on the year and 2-1 in league play. East Texas Baptist fell to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in league play. HSU plays at Howard Payne at 1 p.m. on Saturday.