ASC Football Stats
Hardin-Simmons, Texas Lutheran, Louisiana College and Mississippi College all opened their seasons with wins on Saturday (Sept. 3). All league teams except idle Mary Hardin-Baylor were in action during the first week of the American Southwest Conference’s 16th season of football. Hardin-Simmons rolled in a top 25 showdown, while TLU, LC and MC all pulled out one-possession victories.
Stephen F. Austin 82, McMurry 6: TheNo. 14-ranked NCAA Division I FCS Lumberjacks handed the War Hawks their largest margin of defeat in school history on Thursday night in Nacogdoches, Texas. SFA (1-0) built up a 53-6 lead at halftime. McMurry’s only score came on an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second half. Jake Mullin was held to 79 yards passing for the War Hawks (0-1).
Western New Mexico 35, Sul Ross State 28: David Ingram connected with Markis Sumpter for a touchdown pass with 9 seconds to play to lift the Mustangs (1-0) to a dramatic victory in Silver City, New Mexico. SRSU (0-1), which led 14-7 at halftime, fell behind but rallied to tie the game with 35 seconds to play. Lee Carothers had eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns for the Lobos.
No. 3 Wesley 34, East Texas Baptist 10: The nationally-ranked Wolverines (1-0) forced three turnovers inside their own 40-yard line and returned an interception for a score during a win in Dover, Deleware. ETBU (0-1) got its only touchdown on a 31-yard pass from Sed Harris to Jacob Stone for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Tigers managed to out-gain the Wolverines 375-289 in total yardage.
No. 16 Hardin-Simmons 41, No. 10 Coe 14: Taylor Byrd threw for 326 yards, Travis Tatsch set a school record with 265 receiving yards and the Cowboys gave Jesse Burleson a win in his head coaching debut in Abilene, Texas. HSU (1-0) kept the Kohawks (0-1) off the scoreboard in the second and third quarter to build up a comfortable lead. Lee Grounds led the Cowboys defense with two interceptions.
Texas Lutheran 31, Austin College 28: Quarterback Mitchell Bunger ran for 117 yards and tossed two touchdown passes in Seguin, Texas, to fuel the Bulldogs first season-opening win since 2007. TLU (1-0) also got two rushing scores from Patrick Johnson. TLU kicker Allen Cain nailed a 52-yard field goal, while Travis Bell made 14 tackles and recovered a fumble to help stop the Kangaroos (0-1).
Trinity 24, Howard Payne 7: The Tigers broke up a tie game at halftime and went on to spoil the Yellow Jackets season and home opener in Brownwood, Texas. HPU (0-1), who suffered 107 yards in penalties and two interceptions, managed only 135 yards of total offense. Brandon Young had a 3-yard touchdown run for HPU’s only score. Mathew Bills and Tyson Swaner each had nine tackles against the Tigers (1-0).
Louisiana College 32, Belhaven 24 (3 OT): Jamie Bunting threw for 235 yards and two scores in his debut under center, Ryan Montague ran for 100 yards and D’Mario Parker had 125 receiving yards to fuel the Wildcats’ marathon win in Pineville, La. Robert Olivares shook off two consecutive timeouts by the Blazers (1-1) to drain a 38-yard field goal to send the game into overtime tied 24-24. Bunting connected with Justin Usey on a 25-yard strike for the game-winner. LC (1-0) surrendered just 200 yards of offense.
Mississippi College 33, Millsaps 27 (OT): QuarterbackTommy Reyer ran for an 8-yard touchdown to fuel a “Backyard Brawl” rivalry victory in Clinton, Miss. Millsaps (0-1) had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but came up no good on a 37-yard field goal try. Reyer finished with 190 passing yards and two scores. Steven Knight ran for 97 yards on 14 carriers for MC (1-0), while Jeremy Bertrand made 10 tackles. Chris Campbell made two field goals for the Choctaws, including a 19-yarder that tied the game 27-27 with 4 minutes to play.
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