Around the ASC: Week 9 (Oct. 29)

UMHB was on its bye week, but what about the other eight teams in the ASC? They were in action across the state of Texas, with a number of competitive battles, and close results. Here’s a recap of Week 9 in the ASC.

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Howard Payne nearly upsets Hardin-Simmons, but a big second half propels the Cowboys to victory

HPU nearly shocked the D-III football world on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in Abilene, the Yellow Jackets entered the contest with a perfect 5-0 record in ASC play, and backed up that record with a superb start. HPU found the end zone less than three minutes into the game, as quarterback Landon McKinney found Hunter Cheek for a 49-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead. A field goal made it 10-0 early in the second quarter, before HSU’s Jalen Crawford responded with a SportsCenter-worthy kickoff return, racing 100 yards from end zone to end zone for the Cowboys’ first touchdown of the contest. And it ended up as HSU’s lone scoring play of the entire first half, as HPU added another field goal and touchdown pass, leading 19-7 at halftime.

By that point, many following the scores from around the country began to take notice. And they were treated to a second half of defensive dominance from HSU, who promptly shut out the Yellow Jackets, eliminating any thought of an upset. After tallying 11 first downs in the opening half, HPU was held to just five in the second. And HSU’s defense stepped up when needed most, such as on the Yellow Jackets’ opening drive of the fourth quarter. With the Cowboys leading 21-19, McKinney and the offense marched downfield, reaching the HSU 20-yard line. A seven-yard completion brought up 3rd and 3, but HPU’s Tauren Bradley was stopped at the line of scrimmage. Then on 4th and 3, Billy Reagins gained just one yard, turning the ball over on downs.

From that point on, HSU ran down the clock, slowly securing the victory. The Cowboys used up 8:04 on their lone drive of the fourth quarter, taking a 28-19 lead on Colton Marshall’s one-yard touchdown run.

HSU tallied 368 yards of total offense, with quarterback Gaylon Glynn completing 10-of-22 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown. McKinney threw for 274 yards on 20 completions.

ETBU rebounds Texas Lutheran

After falling to a previously-winless Austin College team a week ago, ETBU responded by winning a shootout in Seguin.

The score was tied at 14-14 after the first quarter, as both offenses found early success. After both scored for a third time in the game in the second quarter, the Tigers took a 24-21 lead into halftime on Christian Piazza’s 37-yard field goal with 3:09 left.

The Bulldogs shut out ETBU in the third, taking a 28-24 lead on Seth Cosme’s second passing touchdown of the day, but the visiting Tigers made up for it in the fourth, putting 14 points on the board in the final 7:49 of the contest.

Perhaps the most notable drive of the game came late in the fourth quarter, when ETBU took possession with four minutes to go. The Tigers needed just 1:30 to go 39 yards, with Cornelius Banks completing the go-ahead score, a 24-yard touchdown to Keithlen Griffin. That put the Tigers in front, 38-35, and TLU’s offense was stopped on fourth down with 58 seconds left, ending the game.

Banks had an exceptional passing performance, throwing for 316 yards and two touchdowns. But Cosme threw for even more yardage, finishing with 356 yards through the air, and three touchdowns.

Southwestern defeats Austin College, 40-29

Southwestern had not won a road game in 2022 coming into Saturday’s matchup at Austin College. But the Pirates prevailed, scoring a season-high 40 points, and won 40-29.

Southwestern outscored the ‘Roos 27-7 between the second and third quarters, which was the difference in the victory. The Pirates were stellar offensively, with 29 first downs and 526 total yards of offense.

Also notable, Austin College went through the air more in this game than they had in their previous seven games, completing seven passes on 16 attempts for 135 yards.

Jaquon Marian had a breakout game for the Pirates, rushing for 147 yards on 23 carries. Damian Gomez stepped up at quarterback for Southwestern, tossing two touchdowns with 270 passing yards.

McMurry at Sul Ross State

Only a final score of Sul Ross State winning 33-27 has been provided. This article will be updated once stats and play-by-play are posted.

ASC Football Standings