Football Falls to 8th-Ranked Hardin-Simmons

ABILENE, TX -- Hardin-Simmons used 589 yards of total offense to defeat Texas Lutheran, 65-0, Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium.

The Crusaders scored on three of their first four drives, all starting in plus-territory for the Cowboys, to take an early 16-0 lead  The Bulldogs attempted to shift the momentum defensively forcing three Cowboys turnovers but the Bulldogs offense couldn't sustain long enough drives to find the end zone.

Junior quarterback Kelby Cox (Blanco/Blanco) started in place of an injured Seth Cosme and rotated with freshman quarterback Te'Ray Lewis (Houston/Westbury Christian School) throughout the afternoon. Lewis was 5-of-10 for 37 yards to lead the Bulldogs passing attack. Cox finished 1-of-7 for 9 yards and two interceptions. Freshman quarterback Cole Andrus (Jourdanton/Jourdanton) saw his first collegiate action and was 2-of-4 for 17 yards.

Jacob Forton (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) led the Bulldogs on the ground rushing for 48 yards on 18 attempts. Chase Patek (Victoria/Victoria West) rushed for 31 yards on 7 carries in his first collegiate action. Devonte Butler (Schertz/Clemens) was Texas Lutheran's top receiver with 24 yards on two catches. Aaron Sotelo (Castroville/Medina Valley) chipped in with 3 receptions for 12 yards.

Freshman punter Cameron Welch (New Braunfels/Canyon) was active on special teams averaging 36.6 yards on 8 punts on the afternoon.

Sultan Abdullah (Sweeny/Columbia) led the Bulldogs defense with 8 tackles - 7 solo - and a forced fumble. Trent Ward (West Columbia/West Columbia) posted 6 tackles while David Augustin (Missouri City/Willowridge) added 5 tackles. Freshman Kaydon Dozier (Angleton/Angleton) snatched his first career interception in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs finish their season with a 3-7 record, 3-6 in the American Southwest Conference. The Bulldogs will graduate a class of 18 seniors. We thank them for all of their contributions to the Texas Lutheran football program.