Mississippi College, Mary Hardin-Baylor and East Texas Baptist all moved to 2-0 in American Southwest Conference play, while Sul Ross State picked up its first win of the year on a Saturday (Sept. 26) that featured all nine league teams in action.

Mississippi College (3-1, 2-0 ASC) shook off a late Hardin-Simmons rally by using an Adam Shaffer 11-yard touchdown pass to Renard Ellis with 27 seconds left to propel the host Choctaws to a 39-34 home victory, ending an 11-year losing skid to the Cowboys. HSU (1-3, 0-2 ASC) trailed from the middle of the first quarter until Alex Wymore hit a 45-yard field goal with 1:29 remaining in the game. MC then went on to engineer the game-winning 70-yard drive. Shaffer threw for 313 yards and four TDs – two to T.J. Pride – and Steven Knight rushed for 140 yards and a score to lead the Choctaws’ offense, while Luke Petitto had two sacks and an interception to lead the defense. Steven Rockwell ran for 120 yards and a TD for HSU, which suffered its third-straight loss for the first time under Jimmie Keeling.

No. 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-0, 2-0 ASC) got sacks from five different players and held McMurry (0-4, 0-2 ASC) to negative 17 rushing yards en route to a 41-8 win in its home opener in Belton, Texas. LiDarral Bailey ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on six carries and Quincy Daniels found to end zone twice to help the Cru become the ASC’s only remaining unbeaten team. UMHB’s defense accounted for three touchdowns. Will Morris and Andrew Wallace had 12 and 11 tackles, respectively, for McMurry.

East Texas Baptist (2-2, 2-0 ASC) was staring at a 21-point deficit to Texas Lutheran (0-3, 0-2 ASC) in the first quarter before reeling off 32 straight points for a 32-21 win in its first game under the lights at Ornelas Stadium in Marshall, Texas. Sed Harris (179 yards) and Corey George (113 yards) each went over the century mark on the ground and combined for three touchdowns to lead the Tigers, who also got two interceptions from Gerald Hunter. TLU was paced by Steven Thrash’s 140-yard, one-TD performance.

Sul Ross State (1-3, 1-1 ASC) jumped out to a quick 14-point lead and never looked back, collecting a 31-14 road win over previously-unbeaten Howard Payne (2-1, 1-1 ASC). Dominique Carson had his fourth-straight 100-plus yard rushing day (107 yards, one TD), while Rod Jefferson caught four balls for 143 yards and a score to pace the Lobos. Allen Dixon had 13 tackles and two forced fumbles for HPU.

Louisiana College (2-1) led after the first quarter, but host Huntingdon took control from there and totaled 379 passing yard to go on to a 34-21 non-conference victory. It was the first loss of the year for the Wildcats, who entered receiving votes in both national polls for the first time. Jordan Rideaux caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown, while James Fowler totaled 12 tackles and a sack to pace LC’s effort.

Next week, all ASC teams except idle Sul Ross State are in action.

ASC Football Stats