May 10, 2004

ABILENE, Texas - A Thursday night game, and three road tilts with the top three teams expected to compete with the Cowboys for the American Southwest Conference title highlight the 2004 Hardin-Simmons schedule.

The Cowboys will open its season with the first Division III varsity night game at Shelton Stadium when it hosts ASC-rival Sul Ross State in a non-conference game at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9. The two teams will meet again at Shelton Stadium on Oct. 9.

The remaining home schedule includes Mississippi College on Sept. 25, McMurry for Homecoming on Oct. 30, and Texas Lutheran to close out the season on Nov. 13.

The Cowboys will play at Louisiana College on Sept. 18 in a 6 p.m. game, at Howard Payne on Oct. 2, back-to-back road contests at the two teams that tied with Cowboys for the league title a year ago - East Texas Baptist (Oct. 16) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (Oct. 23). The final road game of the year will be at Austin College on Nov. 6.

"We are excited to bring the first night varsity game to Shelton Stadium," said HSU Athletic Director John Neese. "I think it will be a unique experience for our students, alumni and fans."

The Cowboys will return 17 starters for the 2004 season, including 11 seniors. HSU was 8-2 a year ago and was the tri-champion of the American Southwest Conference.