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Pointers Unable to Overcome
Cowboys' Fast Start
Box Score
Hardin-Simmons used a
dominating first quarter to stake an early lead over UW-Stevens Point and
post a 38-12 victory in a season-opening non-conference game Saturday at
Goerke Field.
The Cowboys outgained the Pointers 227-30 in the
first 15 minutes on their way to a 534-yard output � the fifth-largest ever
allowed by the UW-Stevens Point defense. Hardin-Simmons quarterback Jordan
Neal completed his first eight passes and finished the day 20-for-28 passing
for 283 yards to seven different receivers.
It was the first-ever meeting between the two
schools and snapped the Pointers� streak of five straight season-opening
victories. Hardin-Simmons is ranked fourth in the NCAA Division III and is
the first of two challenging non-conference foes for the Pointers, who take
a week off before visiting top-ranked Linfield (Ore.).
Despite Neal�s big day, it was the running game
that got the Cowboys started as Quinton Jones sprinted through the line for
61 yards on Hardin-Simmons� third offensive play for a 7-0 lead.
The Pointers were forced to punt, but
Hardin-Simmons struggled all day with punt returns, fumbling all three
UW-Stevens Point punts. The first one was the only one recovered by the
Pointers and they converted with a 28-yard field goal by Dan Heldmann.
Hardin-Simmons drove 72 yards in 11 plays and went
ahead 14-3 on a one-yard plunge by Neal. The score came following a 37-yard
pass from Neal to Matt Epperson on a third-and-30 play from the Cowboys� own
41-yard line. Hardin-Simmons had success on third down all day, converting
nine of 13 attempts.
Following a missed field goal by the Cowboys, the
Pointers mounted their most impressive drive of the day, going 73 yards in
16 plays culminated by a 23-yard field goal by Heldmann to cut the lead to
14-6. UW-Stevens Point had two interceptions late in the half to keep the
eight-point deficit into halftime.
The Pointers opened the second half by driving to
the Cowboys� 20-yard line, but Heldmann missed from 37 yards. UW-Stevens
Point forced Hardin-Simmons to punt, but fumbled on the second play of its
next possession and Neal hit Jones for a 14-yard pass on a screen play down
the left sideline for a 21-6 lead.
UW-Stevens Point closed to within 21-12 early in
the fourth quarter when Brett Borchart connected with Cory Flisakowski for
an 18-yard touchdown pass, however, the Pointers missed the two-point
conversion. Hardin-Simmons then took over seven minutes off the clock on a
13-play, 53-yard drive. The Cowboys had a fourth down play on the Pointers�
two-yard line and had an apparent touchdown taken away with a holding
penalty. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed the ball back another 15
yards and Scott Bryant made a 44-yard field goal for a 24-12 advantage.
The Cowboys� Cody Deaver had an interception and
Hardin-Simmons added another touchdown when Brad Clark rushed all six plays
of a 61-yard drive capped by a 21-yard run with 2:03 left. Hardin-Simmons�
Chris Surratt returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown with 41 seconds
left for the final scoring.
Jones rushed 14 times for 122 yards and Clark
gained 92 yards on 13 carries for the Cowboys. Flisakowski had 62 yards on
14 carries and Borchart was 17-for-31 passing for 186 yards for the
Pointers.
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