HSU Cowboys entertain Austin College

By MARK WILSON / Staff Writer

Even though Hardin-Simmons University's upset loss to Sul Ross State last week looked disastrous, the Cowboys are still in the driver's seat - or saddle, at least.

Coach Jimmie Keeling's Cowboys tumbled from seventh to No. 11 in the NAIA Division II poll after their 31-26 loss to the Lobos. HSU and Sul Ross are now tied at 2-1 in the American Southwest Conference standings entering the final week of the regular season.

There are still several scenarios that could arise - including the possibility that all five teams could end up tied at 2-2. But the Cowboys can make it simple with a win over Austin College today. That should keep their national ranking high enough that they don't need to be concerned about making the cut in the 16-team playoff field, which will be announced Sunday.

Surprising Sul Ross is leading the ASC in team rushing and is second in total offense behind HSU.

"It was a hard-played game - an intensely played game," Keeling said. "The bottom line is you've got to give Sul Ross credit."

Keeling said he thinks his team will bounce back quickly from the stunning setback.

"Our kids have a lot of pride, and they've worked very hard to get where they are," said Keeling, who has led the Cowboys at least as far as the national quarterfinals four years in a row. "I would expect our kids to react very positively."

Austin College doesn't have many statistics to brag about, ranking last in the ASC in team scoring offense and defense, total offense and passing offense, as well as total defense and rushing defense.

But Austin College's 28-17 upset Saturday over nationally ranked Howard Payne sent as many shockwaves through the ASC as did the HSU loss because the Kangaroos hadn't really shown that level of potential. HPU fell from 10th to 18th in the rankings.

"They played super against Howard Payne," said Keeling, whose team outscored the Kangaroos 74-0 in their two meetings last season. "Sometimes it just happens, I guess. They did a great job defensively, getting after the quarterback. They really did just play extremely hard.

"The kids at Austin College have a lot of pride. I don't think there's ever been any surrender in them."

The Kangaroos came up with seven quarterback sacks in the win over Howard Payne, and Yellow Jacket quarterback Wes St. Aubin left the game in the first half after re-injuring an ankle.

Keeling said the Cowboys must do the simple things in order to avoid a second straight upset.

"The basic things are going to apply for this game," Keeling said. "We've got to play really hard, without mistakes.

"Their running game has been good. They have good speed with their backs. We have to be a great pursuit team. Offensively it's just a matter of really executing and playing well on the line of scrimmage."

The Cowboys lead the ASC in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense and rushing defense. They rank No. 8 in the country in passing offense, and quarterback Todd Baumann is fifth nationally in both passing and total offense.

HSU slotback Todd Bloom continues to top the NAIA Division II list of receivers with an average of 10 catches per game.

Hardin-Simmons vs. Austin College

-- Where: Shelton Stadium

-- When: 2 p.m.

-- Records: Austin College 3-6, 1-2 in ASC; HSU 7-2, 2-1 in ASC

-- Last week's scores: Austin College 28, Howard Payne 17; Sul Ross State 31, HSU 26

-- Last year's scores: First game - HSU 43, AC 0; second game - HSU 31, AC 0

-- Key stat: HSU is leading the ASC in total offense with 427.9 yards a game, and Austin College is last in total defense, giving up 410.2 yards per outing.

-- Key injuries: HSU: K Brian Beddow (knee), probable

-- Radio: KCWS 102.7 FM