ABILENE, Texas – Kenneth Wynn Jr. caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Hicks that propelled the Southwestern University football team to a 7-6 victory over McMurry on Saturday night at Wilford Moore Stadium. It marked the Pirates' first victory over McMurry since Nov. 23, 1946, as well as the first road victory since the program was reinstated in 2013.
Southwestern (1-1) managed only 164 yards of offense, but the defense kept the War Hawks (1-1) out of the end zone during the contest.
McMurry's only score came with 1:56 left in the first quarter, as Jacob Ferguson intercepted a pass from Bryan Hicks and returned it 17 yards to the end zone. However, the ensuing extra point was blocked by Mason Ford.
With 5:11 left in the second quarter, SU took over on downs at the War Hawks' 15-yard line.
After three rushes by Dylan Wilburn to get the ball inside the 10-yard line, Hicks found Wynn Jr. in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown. Laith Tucker came on to drill the extra point, giving SU the one-point advantage.
The Pirates held on the rest of the way. Southwestern forced seven punts overall and a pair of fumbles, including a turnover on the one-yard line by McMurry in the first quarter.
In the War Hawks' first drive of the fourth quarter, Matthew McHugh's pass on third and eight was picked off by Nik Kelly.
After each team traded possessions twice over the next 11 minutes, McMurry's final attempt was unsuccessful, as McHugh threw four consecutive incomplete passes. Hicks then took a knee twice to run out the clock.
Zach Cole paced the Pirates' defensive effort with a game-high 13 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss and one-half sack. Justin Broussard, who had only one tackle last week, returned to form with nine stops, including five for a loss and three sacks. Broussard also forced a fumble in the fourth quarter.
On offense, Wilburn carried the ball 24 times for 111 yards, while Micah Sherman caught four passes for 60 yards. Wynn Jr.'s only catch was SU's lone score in the contest.
The Pirates will return to Georgetown to host East Texas Baptist on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Georgetown ISD's Birkelbach Field.
POSTGAME NOTES
• McMurry, which is in transition from Division II to Division III, still holds the lead in the all-time series, 8-7-4.
• Southwestern owns a 5-4-1 advantage against McMurry in games played in Abilene.
• The Pirates have won one of their first two contests for the second consecutive season.
• Southwestern's last road victory came on Oct. 28, 1950, in a 19-9 decision against East Texas Baptist.
• Justin Broussard's three sacks are a career high and most by any player since the program was reinstated in 2013.
• The last time that the Pirates won a game by a 7-6 score was on Oct. 14, 1932, at St. Edward's.