Quick start propels McMurry past Austin College as War Hawks snap 10-game skid
SHERMAN – McMurry built a 21-0 lead and held off a late rally to beat Austin College 24-21 in an American Southwest Conference game Saturday at Jerry Apple Stadium.
The victory snapped a 10-game losing streak dating back to last season. McMurry’s last win was a 48-13 decision over Austin College on Oct. 16, 2021, in Abilene.
It’s the War Hawks’ first road win since beating Louisiana College 32-31 in as ASC playoff game March 27, 2021. Before that, you’d have to go back to a 27-20 win at Belhaven (Mississippi) on Oct. 6, 2018.
It was the defense that sparked the War Hawks (1-6 overall, 1-4 ASC) early. Timothy Leatherman returned a fumble 58 yards for a touchdown on the game’s third play from scrimmage.
The first time the offense got the ball, McMurry drove 94 yards on nine plays as Rajan Cunningham ran 3 yards for a TD.
Jermond Lovely ran for the two-point conversion, after the War Hawks failed on a two-point try following Leatherman’s TD.
McMurry pushed its lead to 21-0 on Jack Ishmael’s 12-yard TD run with 8:07 left in the first half. It wrapped up an 11-play, 88-yard drive.
The Kangaroos (0-5, 0-3) cut the lead to 21-7 as Kennon Magers ran 1 yard for a TD 1:36 before halftime.
McMurry got what proved to be the game-winning points when Jared Mendoza kicked a 45-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half.
Peyton Kelly ran 2 yards for an Austin College TD in the third quarter, and the ’Roos blocked a 26-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. They then drove 75 yards on 13 plays to pull within three on Seth Kerstetter’s 4-yard TD run with 1:52 left in the game.
Austin College then recovered an onside kick and attempted a game-tying field goal, but John Aldridge’s 54-yard attempt fell short with 53 seconds to play, and the War Hawks ran out the clock – dealing the ’Roos their 13th consecutive loss since last season.
Dexter Wyble completed 14 of 22 passes for 218 yards and no interceptions for McMurry. Cunningham led the War Hawks with 74 yards on 10 carries.
Peyton Kelley led Austin College with 70 yards passing, and he also ran for 65 yards – one yard less than Magers, who led the ’Roos.
McMurry plays Texas Lutheran at 1 p.m. Saturday in an ASC game at Wilford Moore Stadium. It’s the War Hawks’ homecoming game and their last home contest this season.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: McMurry fights off Austin College in ASC football game
