McMurry hosts Oklahoma Panhandle State

By MARK WILSON / Staff Writer

McMurry University's goal for the rest of the 1996 football season is simple.

"Our goal is to win the last two games of the season," said McMurry head coach Steve Keenum, whose team will face NAIA Division I Oklahoma Panhandle State today at home.

The Indians put up an impressive fight last Saturday, taking seventh-ranked Hardin-Simmons University to overtime before falling, 30-27. That dropped McMurry to 2-6 on the season and 1-2 in the American Southwest Conference.

Panhandle State is 0-9, but the scholarship school had a difficult schedule and owns the third-best NAIA Division I passing defense in the nation (141.3 yards per game).

"They look great physically," said Keenum. "They don't have a great record, but they've played great football teams. They've got great size. They average 285 pounds on the offensive line. And they've got great skill players.

"They've probably got as much team speed - almost as much - as Howard Payne. They're very aggressive on defense. They try to bring pressure. They line up everywhere."

McMurry receiver Reggie Sterns caught nine passes for 222 yards against HSU - a school record for individual receiving yards in a single game.

Running back Darren Bailey, a senior from Wylie, leads the Indians in rushing and ranks second in the ASC with an average of 81.4 yards a game.

Quarterback Braxton Shaver is fourth in the conference in passing, but Keenum said he is listed as doubtful for today's game after re-injuring his left shoulder last Saturday. If he can't play, Keenum said either Eric David or Frankie Franz will be used.

The Aggies have two huge injury concerns of their own on offense - sophomore quarterback Eric Yarbrough and senior running back Jimmie Canidate.

Panhandle State punter Rodger Schenks leads all NAIA Division I punters with an average of 39.33 yards per kick.

McMurry led Hardin-Simmons 21-9 in the third quarter before the game went into overtime. That performance, along with a win over Austin College the previous week, has made the Indians quietly confident, Keenum said.

"We felt like we should have won that football game Saturday," Keenum said. "We played extremely well Saturday, but we didn't play as well as we're capable. We want to improve overall as a football team. We want to have two more solid performances in a row." McMurry vs. Panhandle State

-- Where: Indian Stadium

-- When: 2 p.m.

-- Records: Panhandle State 0-9; McMurry 2-6

-- Last week's scores: Peru State 40, Panhandle State 15; HSU 30, McMurry 27 (overtime).

-- Last year's score: McMurry 32, Panhandle State 14.

-- Key stat: Panhandle State is No. 3 in the nation among NAIA Division I teams in pass defense, but is giving up an average of 305.7 yards rushing.

-- Key injuries: Panhandle State: QB Eric Yarbrough, questionable; RB Jimmie Canidate, questionable. McMurry: QB Braxton Shaver (shoulder), doubtful; FS James Clawson (bruised kidney), out rest of season; RB Joe Cunningham (sprained ankle), probable.

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