ABILENE – Hardin-Simmons scored five first-half touchdowns and the Cowboys went on to defeat Wayland Baptist in both team's season-opener here Saturday evening, 49-0.
HSU threw for its first three TDs, from 14, 19 and 12 yards. The Cowboys scored twice in the final four minutes of the first half on a 12-yard run and an 8-yard pass with 55 seconds left before intermission.
The Cowboys blocked a punt on Wayland's first second-half possession and scored two plays later on a 13-yard pass to make it 42-0. The scoring stopped until HSU put it in the end zone for the final time on a 1-yard run with 4½ minutes left in the game.
WBU quarterback
Nick Quintero completed 23-of-39 passes for 223 yards with an interception. HSU recorded six quarterback sacks, leading to the Pioneers being held to 10 yards rushing.
Skyler Whitten pulled down eight passes for 100 yards. Brendan Strickland and
Jordan Maden caught five passes apiece.
HSU QBs threw for 395 yards, completing 26-of-37 tosses to 15 different receivers, while the Cowboys rushed for another 173 yards.
On defense, the Pioneers'
Andrew Villa logged 10 tackles and an interception returned for 29 yards. Tyrel McAlilster had eight stops while
Devron Sims and
Kaleb Thornton got seven each. Thornton also had a pick, returned 58 yards.
The game was Wayland's lone non-conference outing of the season. The Pioneers open Sooner Athletic Conference action next Saturday in Batesville, Ark., against Lyon College, which opened its season Saturday night against Ottawa (Ariz.). Lyon trailed in that game, 62-3, late in the third quarter.
