ABILENE, Texas -- Matt Gillen caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from AJ Daniels in the fourth quarter, but it was the only points Southwestern managed in its season opener, as Hardin-Simmons ran away with a 77-6 victory on Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium.

The Pirates (0-1) were limited to 230 yards of total offense in the contest, while the Cowboys (1-0) racked up 550.

Gillen led the team with six receptions for 62 yards, while Micah Sherman caught three passes for 39 yards.

Bryan Hicks, who started at quarterback, was 10-of-18 for 79 yards. Daniels, who saw action in the final half, threw for 47 yards and rushed for a team-best 37 yards on five carries.

Chris Luca led Southwestern's defense with six tackles, while Nick Mask registered four stops and two sacks. Brandon Fleischmann chipped in with five tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack.

Hardin-Simmons opened the scoring on Kerry Sloan's 29-yard run with 7:37 left in the first quarter. Weston Garner then found Jessie Ramos down the sideline for a 53-yard connection two minutes later.

The Cowboys added 29 points in the second frame, including a 51-yard punt return for a touchdown by Alex Bell. Hardin-Simmons then tacked on 28 more tallies in the third to take a 70-0 lead.

Daniels then led a fourth-quarter scoring drive that started at Southwestern's own 35-yard line. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound freshman scampered for 11 yards and added seven more on the next play. After an incomplete pass, he found John Free on the left hashmark for six yards and a first down.

Daniels hooked up with Sherman down the left sideline for an 18-yard gain, which set up the touchdown strike to Gillen.

The Pirates will return to Abilene next Saturday to face McMurry. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

--SOUTHWESTERN--