War Hawks suffer 82-6 loss at hands of SFA
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – No. 14-ranked Stephen F. Austin (NCAA Division I FCS) handed McMurry University the largest margin of defeat in the school's history Thursday night with an 82-6 romping of the War Hawks at Homer Bryce Stadium.
In addition, the 82 points by the Lumberjacks was the largest number of points surrendered by a McMurry team since the program's inception in 1923. Mary Hardin-Baylor defeated McMurry 72-0 in 2005, and previously the largest amount of points surrendered by a McMurry team was 73 in 2004 to UMHB.
Brady Attaway passed for 275 yards and four touchdowns while Graly Crawford caught eight passes for 77 yards and three touchdowns for the Lumberjacks. In addition, SFA converted four two-point conversions to go along with 11 touchdowns and one field goal.
McMurry's lone score came when Will Morris returned an 88-yard interception for a touchdown with 12:10 left in the second quarter. McMurry turned the ball over six times with three fumbles and three interceptions.
Morris' 88-yard return for a touchdown was the longest return by a McMurry player since the War Hawks rejoined the NCAA in 1996. He was six yards off the interception return record set by Lee King in 1961 when he took one back 94 yards against Arizona State.
Backup quarterback threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns, and SFA gained 744 yards of total offense. The Lumberjacks played well in the rushing game as well with Fred Ford leading the way with 11 carries and 178 yards and two touchdowns.
For McMurry, Jake Mullin completed 14 passes on 29 attempts for 79 yards and one interception that was returned for a touchdown in the first quarter by Will Jefferson from 41 yards out. Mullin was sacked five times.
Justin Johnson led McMurry with 24 rushing yards on eight carries and Delfonte Diamond caught four passes for 37 yards in a losing effort.
D.J. Baiza had eight tackles and Gene Hudson added seven. Ryan Epperosn tallied 10 tackles for SFA in the victory.
McMurry falls to 0-1 and will take on its second NCAA Division I FCS program Sept. 10 at the Alamodome when the War Hawks take on first-year program UT-San Antonio at 2 p.m.
