ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons' ninth-ranked football team dominated No. 19 Mississippi College in every facet of the game in a 45-10 rout on Saturday afternoon in the American Southwest Conference opener for both schools at Shelton Stadium in Abilene.
The Cowboy offense rolled up 552 yards of total offense and the defense allowed only 318 yards in the blowout. Justin Feaster was 25-for-31 for 335 yards and two touchdowns and ZaVious Robbins had 10 catches for 141 yards and a score.
HSU roared out to a 24-0 lead. The Cowboys took the ball late in the first quarter and drove 63 yards in 12 plays and Patrick Flanagin scored on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Justin Feaster with 1:00 to play in the first quarter. Scott Newberry capped a 12-play, 71-yard drive with a 27-yard field goal with 8:01 to play in the second quarter.
After the two long drives, it was the quick strike the next time the Cowboys had the ball as Feaster hit Robbins over the middle and he raced 74 yards for the touchdown to make it 17-0 with 4:29 to play in the half. HSU then forced a quick three-and-out and got the ball back and went 49 yards in :49 seconds. Steven Rockwell scored for nine yards out with 2:16 to play in the first half.
MC's Dale Wallace kicked a field goal with :37 to play in the first half to make it 24-3 at halftime.
Devin Carver then electrified the crowd to start the second half as he showed off his sprinter's speed with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to make it 31-3. MC scored on an Austin Divinity 1-yard run with 9:17 to play in the third quarter.
HSU closed the game with two scores in the fourth quarter. Rockwell had a 3-yard TD run on the first play of the fourth quarter and then Carver went 23 yards for his first score of the season.
The Cowboys received a great defensive performance again. The Cowboys had seven tackles for loss, forced a fumble, picked off three passes and had three sacks. Two of the sacks came from Hank Hornsby. Cooper Haralson had a career-best 13 tackles and he also forced a fumble.
Tommy Reyer was 21-for-38 with three interceptions and 182 yards passing. Austin Divinity had 80 yards rushing on 17 carries. Luke Petitto had nine tackles to lead MC.
The Cowboys are now 3-0 on the year and 1-0 in American Southwest Conference action. MC fell to 2-1 and 0-1 in league play. HSU will play its third straight ranked opponent next weekend when they play at No. 5 Mary Hardin-Baylor, in an early season tilt between the two favorites in the ASC.
--- HSU ---