Nov. 1, 2003

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons had no problem moving the ball against No. 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor and their vaunted defense, it was holding on to it that was the problem as UMHB scored 15 fourth quarter points to defeat the Cowboys 43-36 at Shelton Stadium in Abilene.

HSU rolled up 458 yards, but a fumble inside the 10 and another with the Cowboys driving late in the game proved to be the difference. The Cowboys also had two interceptions that could have just as easy been touchdowns, with the right breaks.

The Cowboys' Lance Moore had another stellar game with 135 yards on the ground. He scored a touchdown and returned two kickoffs a combined 60 yards. Triandos Sherrard had a career-best 158 yards and a touchdown receiving for the Cowboys.

UMHB wide receiver P.J. Williams was the difference in the game as he caught three touchdown passes, from 61, 32 and 47 yards out. The final one gave the Crusaders the 43-36 lead.

Justin Bryson got the Crusaders out to a 7-0 lead with a 2-yard run on the opening drive. The Crusaders went eight plays and 82 yards in 3:48. After the Cowboys had a short field goal blocked on their first possession, the Cowboys tackled running back Justin Bryson in the end zone for a safety.

Jordan Neal threw an interception on the ensuing drive and UMHB scored two plays later on a 61-yard pass from Cody Fredenburg to P.J. Williams with 5:26 to go in the first quarter. HSU responded with an 8-play, 61-yard drive capped by a Moore two yard run with 3:04 to go in the first quarter to make the score 14-9.

Williams struck again in the second quarter on a 32-yard pass from Fredenburg to make it 21-89 with 8:33 to go in the first half. All-American Alex Hansen got the Cowobys' right back on the scoreboard after the Cowboys had to punt when he picked off his sixth pass of the year and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. Joe Lemberg's PAT was blocked and the score was 28-15 with 4:13 to go in the half.

UMHB responded with a 6-play, 40-yard drive for another score. This one was a 2-yard option run by Fredenburg to make it 28-15 with 2:05 to go in the half. Williams' return of a short kick set up the short field.

HSU got back on the board on the opening drive of the second half when Neal hit Sherrard for a 49-yard touchdown on the post. The PAT made it 28-22 with 13:12 to go in the third quarter. HSU scored the next time it had the ball on a 1-yard sneak by Neal, giving the Cowobys a 29-28 lead with 3:50 to go in the third quarter.

Justin Bryson gave the Crusaders the lead back with a 4-yard run with 9:46 to go in the game. Chad Starnes run after an off-sides penalty on the PAT try made it 36-29 UMHB. The Cowboys came right back and scored on the next possession. Neal capped the 9-play, 57-yarder with a 9-yard run to tie the game at the 6:22 mark.

Mary Hardin-Baylor scored three plays later Fredenburg to Williams from 47 yards out.

The Cowboys took possession of the ball with 5:23 to go in the game and Neal hit SHerrard for 24 yards, Neal ran for eight, Moor rushed for three then five giving the ball to the Cowboys at the UMHB 45. Neal then hit tight end Matt Moskosky on a short pass and Keith Zunker hit the ball forcing the fumble. UMHB recovered the ball and ran out the clock.

UMHB moved to 8-0 on the season and 7-0 in conference. HSU fell to 6-2 and 6-1 in ASC play. The loss was the first in the regular season at Shelton Stadium since Nov. 15 1997 against Sul Ross State, a streak of 26 games.

Jordan Neal completed 30-of-40 passes for the Cowboys for 286 yards and a score. He also ran for two touchdowns.

P.J. Williams had five catches for 157 yards and three scores for the Crusaders. Fredenburg completed 9-of-14 passes for 255 yards and three scores.

RoJo Johnson had a UMHB record 18 tackles in the game. Brent Gailey led the Cowboys with 16 stops.

HSU returns to action next Saturday at McMurry, looking for their fifth straight Wilford Moore trophy.