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Contributed by Dave Beyer, McMurry Sports Information Director
GEORGETOWN, Texas - After racing out to a 17-0 lead, 24 unanswered points doomed McMurry University's football team in a 24-17 season-opening loss at Southwestern University at Georgetown ISD Stadium. It marked the first time that the War Hawks (0-1) have lost s season-opening game under head coach Lance Hinson, but second-straight loss to the Pirates (1-1).
Just as in 2015, the McM offense could not muster a touchdown versus SU. The War Hawks first two scores of the game came courtesy of the defense with a pair of "pick 6" interceptions. Sophomore linebacker Patrick Morrison pilfered a Pirate pass at the McM 11 and returned it 89 yards to the house, giving McM a 7-0 lead with 12:19 left in the first quarter, after Tanner Wright's extra point kick.
Less than three-and-one-half minutes later, defensive end Jamir Bowser picked off another Bryan Hicks aerial in Southwestern territory and returned it for a 26-yard TD. The PAT made it 14-0 at the 8:50 mark.
In the opening seconds of the second quarter, a 10-play, 52 yard McMurry drive stalled and Wright had the right stuff for a 29-yard field goal that put the War Hawks ahead, 17-0, with 14:29 left until the intermission. Little did McM know that it would see no more points the balance of the contest.
While McM relied on its defense for the bulk of its points, the Southwestern offensive unit finally seemed to get on track. A 13-play, 79-yard series midway through the second quarter cut the War Hawks' halftime cushion to 17-7.
The Pirates added a third quarter score on a five-yard run to cap a 73-yard, 13-play set, making it 17-14.
The McMurry defense twice stiffened in the third stanza, keeping SU at bay. Once after a bad punt snap gave the hosts the ball on the War Hawks' one and again starting at the visitor's 33. SU managed a field goal with 12:41 left in the fourth to knot the game at 17-17.
Southwestern embarked on the winning drive with 3:51 left in regulation. Beginning on their own 35, the Pirates slashed their way down the field in just four plays. The finale was a 13-yard run by Dylan Wilburn for the game-winning score.
Southwestern racked up 409 yards in total offense, 246 of which came on the ground. Meanwhile, the Pirates defense clamped down on the McM offense, holding the unit to 99 total yards (40 rushing and 59 passing).
McM starting quarterback B.J. Ross was 6-of-17 for 55 yards in his debut. Xavier Alexander was 1-for-5 with an interception.
McM defensive back Jordan Washington led all tacklers with 11 stops. Teammate Decorian Johnson and J.R. Arroyo had nine and eight tackles, each. Johnson also had an interception.
Isaiah Santos, Matthew Flores and Darious Brooks each had a sack for the War Hawks.
McM will try to get its first win of 2016 at home next Saturday versus Texas College at Wilford Moore Stadium. Kickoff is at noon.
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GEORGETOWN, Texas - After racing out to a 17-0 lead, 24 unanswered points doomed McMurry University's football team in a 24-17 season-opening loss at Southwestern University at Georgetown ISD Stadium. It marked the first time that the War Hawks (0-1) have lost s season-opening game under head coach Lance Hinson, but second-straight loss to the Pirates (1-1).
Just as in 2015, the McM offense could not muster a touchdown versus SU. The War Hawks first two scores of the game came courtesy of the defense with a pair of "pick 6" interceptions. Sophomore linebacker Patrick Morrison pilfered a Pirate pass at the McM 11 and returned it 89 yards to the house, giving McM a 7-0 lead with 12:19 left in the first quarter, after Tanner Wright's extra point kick.
Less than three-and-one-half minutes later, defensive end Jamir Bowser picked off another Bryan Hicks aerial in Southwestern territory and returned it for a 26-yard TD. The PAT made it 14-0 at the 8:50 mark.
In the opening seconds of the second quarter, a 10-play, 52 yard McMurry drive stalled and Wright had the right stuff for a 29-yard field goal that put the War Hawks ahead, 17-0, with 14:29 left until the intermission. Little did McM know that it would see no more points the balance of the contest.
While McM relied on its defense for the bulk of its points, the Southwestern offensive unit finally seemed to get on track. A 13-play, 79-yard series midway through the second quarter cut the War Hawks' halftime cushion to 17-7.
The Pirates added a third quarter score on a five-yard run to cap a 73-yard, 13-play set, making it 17-14.
The McMurry defense twice stiffened in the third stanza, keeping SU at bay. Once after a bad punt snap gave the hosts the ball on the War Hawks' one and again starting at the visitor's 33. SU managed a field goal with 12:41 left in the fourth to knot the game at 17-17.
Southwestern embarked on the winning drive with 3:51 left in regulation. Beginning on their own 35, the Pirates slashed their way down the field in just four plays. The finale was a 13-yard run by Dylan Wilburn for the game-winning score.
Southwestern racked up 409 yards in total offense, 246 of which came on the ground. Meanwhile, the Pirates defense clamped down on the McM offense, holding the unit to 99 total yards (40 rushing and 59 passing).
McM starting quarterback B.J. Ross was 6-of-17 for 55 yards in his debut. Xavier Alexander was 1-for-5 with an interception.
McM defensive back Jordan Washington led all tacklers with 11 stops. Teammate Decorian Johnson and J.R. Arroyo had nine and eight tackles, each. Johnson also had an interception.
Isaiah Santos, Matthew Flores and Darious Brooks each had a sack for the War Hawks.
McM will try to get its first win of 2016 at home next Saturday versus Texas College at Wilford Moore Stadium. Kickoff is at noon.
More...