McMurry's final game against Sul Ross

By MARK WILSON / Staff Writer

One more sparkling performance by the McMurry University football team in its final game of the year may help erase the memory of a five-game losing streak earlier in the season.

That won't be an easy task in today's matchup between the two most improved teams in the American Southwest Conference.

The Indians will be facing a Sul Ross State team that knocked off nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons University 31-26 a week ago. The Lobos can clinch at least a co-championship in the American Southwest Conference with a win today.

Coach Steve Keenum's Indians thrived on 370 yards passing from quarterback Braxton Shaver in last Saturday's 31-21 non-conference victory over winless Oklahoma Panhandle State.

The Tribe has won two of its last three games and has totaled almost 1,500 yards total offense during that span.

McMurry's defense has been stout all season, leading the American Southwest Conference with 266.4 yards allowed per game.

Keenum, a former head coach at Sul Ross, lost to the Lobos twice last season when they were coming off back-to-back winless seasons. The Indians also dropped a 39-7 decision to Sul Ross in Alpine on Oct. 12.

"I think it's kind of ironic that in Week 10, us and Sul Ross are playing in a ballgame that's going to have an impact on the conference championship," Keenum said. "I don't think it makes any difference who we play now. Our kids want to play well. We've had a very focused week to this point."

Shaver is now No. 2 in the ASC in passing, averaging 213.7 yards per game. He has completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,282 yards.

"The No. 1 thing about Braxton is right now he's throwing an accurate, catchable football," Keenum said. "Typically, he's making good decisions."

Sul Ross quarterback Jeff Lefevre is second in the conference in completion percentage (56 percent) and touchdown passes (12).

"Probably the No. 1 change in their football team is their quarterback," Keenum said. "They ran it pretty well last year. Lefevre makes it a whole lot different ballgame. Throw in the ability to throw, and that makes them dangerous. He's been a big factor for them.

"They are sound on defense, good tacklers. They're just a real sound fundamental football team, and real physical."

Keenum said there are three things he wants to see in the game - his offense scoring once it gets in the red zone; the defense containing the Lobos and preventing big plays; and for the kicking teams to make a play that could shift momentum McMurry's way.

McMurry vs. Sul Ross State

-- Where: Indian Stadium

-- When: 2 p.m.

-- Records: SRSU 5-4, 2-1 in ASC; McMurry 3-6, 1-2 in ASC

-- Last week's scores: Sul Ross State 31, HSU 26; McMurry 31, Oklahoma Panhandle State 21

-- Last year's scores: First game - SRSU 13, McMurry 0; second game - SRSU 19, McMurry 14

-- Key stat: With a record-setting performance last Saturday, McMurry quarterback Braxton Shaver moved up from fourth to second in the ASC in passing with an average of 182.4 yards per game. His 370 yards passing broke the old school record, which had been set by Mark Cox in 1980.

-- Key injuries: McMurry: G Roger Gonzalez (shoulder), probable; FS James Clawson (bruised kidney), out; RB Derrick Petteway (shoulder), out.

-- Radio: KHXS 106.3 FM