Burleson Earns 100th Win As HSU Rolls In Home Opener

Head coach Jesse Burleson hit his 100^th career win Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium when the Hardin-Simmons football team rolled to a 90-7 victory over North American University. Coach Burleson is one of only 25 active Division III coaches with 100 wins and only the second HSU coach with 100 career wins at the helm of the Cowboys. Serving as HSU’s head football coach over the past 14 seasons, he has posted 100 wins, and only 33 losses, led the Cowboys to the NCAA playoffs on six different occasions, and brought home two American Southwest Conference Championships. 

Burleson was presented a game ball after the game from former coach Jimmie Keeling, the only other HSU football coach with 100 wins, and a video tribute from family, former players and coaches was played on the Shelton Stadium videoboard.

This incredible achievement is a testament to his dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to this university and the Cowboy football program.

ABOUT THE GAME

The game was never in doubt after the opening seconds. North American received the opening kickoff lost eight yards on three plays and the ensuing punt went just 15 yards to set the Cowboys up at the Stallions’ 32-yard line.

Dozie Ifeadi dropped his defender with his route and Kyle Brown hit him wide open for a 32-yard touchdown on the first play. HSU’s swinging gate PAT attempt failed, making the score 6-0.

Noah Garcia scored his sixth touchdown of the year with a 3-yard run, Harrison Foster forced a fumble on the next NAU possession and Seyi Joseph recovered it. HSU went 34 yards in four plays and Duncan Alexander scored his first career touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Brown to give HSU a 20-0 lead with 2:02 to play in the first quarter.

Freshman Braylon Henry scored on a 19-yard run and Garcia added a 6-yard touchdown to make it 34-0 with 6:48 to play in the first half. HSU scored on a Wes Douglas 12-yard touchdown catch from Brown and then Brown hit Tailon Garrett on a 39-yard catch and run with 1:01 to play in the half and Grayson Bearden’s PAT (he went 12-for-12 on the day) gave the Cowboys a 48-0 halftime lead.

Garcia scored on a 74-yard run on the first play of the third quarter to end his day. He had 93 yards on seven carries and three touchdowns on the day. Kyle Brown got one more series under series and led a 9-play, 56-yard touchdown drive that Henry capped off with a 9-yard run sending the starters to the bench for the rest of the game.

Freshman Brandt Patek had a 28-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with :24 to play in the third quarter.

Braden St. Ama threw his first career touchdown pass to tight end Nick Chipper with 8:59 to play. On the next HSU possession, Dameon Gomes who has moved to running back took the first play 65 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 83-0. NAU went 65 yards in five plays for their only score of the day a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jesper Korkalanien to Christian Warren.

Gomes returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a score, his second kickoff return touchdown of the season.

HSU had 538 yards of offense, with 276 on the ground and 262 in the air. HSU limited the Stallions to 176 yards on 66 plays in the contest. The defense forced three fumbles in the contest and HSU did not have a turnover.

Brown was 18-for-20 for 257 yards and four touchdowns in the contest. Kaiden Roden led the defense with eight tackles, including a sack. Cash Saxton had seven tackles. Freshman defensive end Seyi Joesph had five tackles, a sack, forced a fumble and recovered another fumble.

The 90 points were the second-most in school history topped only by 91 points against McMurry in 2019.

HSU was able to get 88 players into the game and HSU sat a handful of players with minor injuries, including two starters and two top reserves.

The Cowboys (3-0) will return home to Shelton Stadium for a key non-conference title with No. 12 Endicott. That game is slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff.  North American fell to 0-4 on the year.