Hardin-Simmons Defeated McMurry in Rivalry Matchup
The Cowboys secured a decisive 48-17 victory to extend their lengthy win streak over the War Hawks.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Football
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Hardin-Simmons defeated McMurry with a 48-17 final score in Abilene. The win extends the Cowboys' current winning streak against the War Hawks to 12 consecutive games.
Why it matters
This result maintains the dominant trend for Hardin-Simmons in the long-standing local football rivalry. The Cowboys have now secured victories in 15 of their 16 meetings against McMurry since 2007.
Hardin-Simmons scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to cement their 48-17 win. The victory is backed by a 15-1 series record against McMurry since 2007.
The players
Hardin-Simmons
The Cowboys represent the university football team that has dominated this local series for nearly two decades.
McMurry
The War Hawks are the opposing university football program that has faced Hardin-Simmons in a rivalry dating back to 1946.
Maurice Campbell
He is a defensive player for Hardin-Simmons who recorded an interception during the rivalry game.
Philip Meyers
He is a defensive player for Hardin-Simmons who recorded an interception during the rivalry game.
Dylan Hardin
He is an athlete for Hardin-Simmons who scored a touchdown on a punt return during the victory.
The details
Hardin-Simmons forced multiple turnovers during the game, including interceptions by Maurice Campbell and Philip Meyers and a fumble forced by Colyn Donnelly on Jess Hoel. Offensive highlights included a punt return touchdown by Dylan Hardin, a 51-yard field goal by Pedro Altamirano, and two scores using a tush push play, one by Keagan Ables.
Timeline
The rivalry between the teams began in 1946.
The teams began playing each other frequently in 2007.
The game occurred on October 11, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The victory keeps Hardin-Simmons firmly in control of this rivalry as they continue their winning streak. This result cements their position in the series standings and marks a significant achievement for their current season narrative.
The Cowboys successfully executed a tush push play for a score, demonstrating a specific tactical preference in short-yardage situations. McMurry struggled with ball security, as two interceptions and a fumble recovery directly impacted the final point differential.
The takeaway
Hardin-Simmons continues to demonstrate superior depth and execution in this long-running Abilene rivalry. Fans and analysts should note that the Cowboys' reliance on aggressive turnover creation and specialty play-calling remains their primary path to success.
Further reading
For more coverage on the local team, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTXS.
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