And then there were two ... or three
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To make matters worse, HPU’s Brandon Tolbert, the day’s leading receiver with 163 yards on 13 receptions, fumbled deep in ’Jacket territory early in the second half. Two plays later, quarterback Jordan Neal scored from 9 yards out, the score was 35-10, and for all intents and purposes, the game was over.
Triandos Sherrard had a big day for Hardin-Simmons, scoring both in the air and on the ground in totaling 104 yards. The Cowboys’ 313 yards rushing marked the fourth straight time they had reached the 300-yard plateau. The Yellow Jackets actually out- gained the Cowboys, 457-434, but were unable to run (22 carries on 25 attempts). Jordan Neal was an effective 10-of-14 for 121 yards, the touchdown to Sherrard and one interception. Next up for Hardin-Simmons: a rematch with Sul Ross State (0-4, 0-3). Howard Payne will try to rebound, but on the road against ASC co-leader Mary Hardin-Baylor is a hard place to start.
Elsewhere around the region
No. 6 Mary Hardin-Baylor (4-0, 3-0) continued to chew its way through the third tier of the ASC, winning 49-3 at Mississippi College (1-3, 1-2) despite five turnovers and a sub-par passing effort (7-for-19 for 119 yards and three interceptions). … Texas Lutheran (2-2, 2-1) took care of the other conference undefeated, winning 31-17 at home against Austin (2-2, 2-1) as Sean Salinas went 15-of-29 for 245 and two touchdowns in monsoon-like conditions. … Huntingdon (0-4) came this close to winning the first game in program history, falling by one in to Thomas More (2-3). The Saints successfully complete a two-point conversion to secure the win in overtime. Both Thomas More (2-3) victories this season have come in overtime. … Despite playing what Rose-Hulman head coach Ted Karras described as “the best performance … against Trinity” in series history, the visiting Engineers (3-2, 0-1 SCAC) could only manage 156 yards in a 35-14 loss against the 11-time defending SCAC champions. No. 9 Trinity (5-0, 2-0) totaled 441 yards despite having to slog through a muddy field that had seen 3 inches of rain in the previous 18 hours.
Looking ahead …
If Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor combine for one loss between them this year, it’s very possible the ASC will once again have two representatives in the NCAA playoffs. If that comes to pass, Hardin-Simmons inability to find a non-conference opponent will unfairly work to their disadvantage should they lose to UMHB. With two games against a Sul Ross squad that has yet to win a game, the Cowboys’ strength of schedule will be negatively impacted. Should Sul Ross finish below .333, Hardin-Simmons would have been better off, at least according to the NCAA, scheduling an NAIA or Division II team. Why?
The best thing the Cowboys can do is to just keep winning, baby. That might not secure a bye in the first round, but would at least secure home-field advantage in the event of a first round game. A second ASC team might get sent to another region; if not, the ASC winner could get the first-round bye while the runner-up would get Trinity. But more on that in a few weeks.
Also heard
The Rose-Hulman radio crew, when not complaining about the officiating in Saturday’s loss, made a plea to the SCAC office to change the scheduling occasionally so that certain teams might have the occasional pleasure of playing in late Indiana fall weather conditions. The idea has some merit. That said, it’s odd to hear this coming from RHIT, widely expected to leave the SCAC for a conference with a less stressful travel schedule.
ASC players of the week
Co-offensive: Dexter Falgoust, sophomore wide receiver, Louisiana College, and David Rogenmoser, sophomore running back, East Texas Baptist. Falgoust had 10 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats (2-2, 1-2 ASC) got their first ASC win. Falgoust’s 19-yard reception on fourth-and-ten kept a drive going that resulted in the winning touchdown. Rogenmoser had a conference record 42 carries for a career-high 239 yards plus one touchdown in East Texas Baptist’s (1-3, 1-2) victory over Sul Ross.
Defensive: Will Galusha, sophomore cornerback, Hardin-Simmons. His 30-yard interception return for touchdown paved the way in the Cowboys’ 49-26 win over Howard Payne. Galusha added nine tackles and a pass breakup.
Special Teams: Holt Storrie, freshman kicker, Texas Lutheran. Remained perfect in field goals, adding a 20 yarder in the Bulldogs’ 31-17 win against Austin College. Storrie was also 4-4 in extra points in sloppy conditions, and added a special teams tackle.
SCAC players of the week
Offensive: Jamarcus Shephard, senior wide receiver, DePauw. Shephard had 10 catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns as DePauw (3-2) nipped Chicago (1-3), 28-24.
Defensive: Jarrod Zywein, senior linebacker, Centre. Tallied 12 tackles (eight solo) including two sacks, as Centre (3-2, 1-1 SCAC) limited Sewanee (1-4, 0-1) to five yards rushing on 34 carries. Centre’s 33-0 win was their first shutout since last year.
Games of the week
Slim pickings: In the SCAC, Rose-Hulman will host Rhodes (2-2, 1-1 SCAC; game time 2 p.m.). The Lynx, who disappointed by losing at home to Washington U., must win to keep any hopes of an SCAC championship alive. The Engineers are looking to improve on last season’s .500 record. In the ASC, Howard Payne tries to play spoiler at Mary Hardin-Baylor (1 p.m.) and East Texas Baptist will try to stay on the winning track against up-and-coming Texas Lutheran (7 p.m.).