Oct. 16, 2004

Final Stats

MARSHALL, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' nationally-ranked football team set up a showdown for control of the American Southwest Conference next week, with a 31-13 win over East Texas Baptist Saturday afternoon in Marshall.

The Cowboys rolled up 503 yards of total offense and limited the Tigers to just 291 yards.

Matt Epperson put the Cowboys on the scoreboard with 7:41 remaining in the first quarter when he caught a six-yard pass from Jordan Neal in the back of the end zone.

Neither team scored again until Phil Van Cleave hit Earl Morris on a four-yard touchdown with 2:59 to go in the first half to tie the game at 7-7. HSU used the two-minute drill to move the ball 10 plays and 66 yards. Lance Moore scored his 26th career rushing touchdown to tie the school record with 26.

Neal hit May on an 18-yard touchdown to put the Cowboys up 21-7 with 8:48 to go in the third quarter. Neal then scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to make it 28-7 with :46 to go in the third quarter.

Shane McCord hit a career-best 32-yard field goal with 4:28 to go in the game to set-up the final score. Lance Moore led the Cowboys with 117 yards on the ground. Jordan Neal completed 21-of-30 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 81 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.

David Rogenmoser had 147 on 22 carries for ETBU, but only carried the ball four times.

The Cowboys will play at nationally-ranked and unbeaten Mary Hardin-Baylor for the outright ASC lead next week in Belton. HSU improved to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in ASC play. East Texas Baptist, a tri-champion with HSU and UMHB in the conference last season, fell to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in ASC play.