Abilene, Texas - Trinity's football team lost a 42-17 non-conference road game against Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers fall to 1-4 after the loss, while Hardin-Simmons improves to 3-1 on the season.  Trinity is now 7-19-4 all-time against the Cowboys, and this was the first regular season meeting since 1990 - a game which HSU also won 35-27.

Trinity fell behind quickly as Hardin-Simmons scored on each of its first four possessions.  The hometown team scored twice in each quarter, and led 28-10 by halftime.  The Tigers put together a quick scoring drive early in the second quarter to cut it to 21-7 at the time, but HSU answered to push the lead back to three touchdowns.

Late in the half, Trinity drove quickly down the field despite being left without any timeouts, and got to the 13-yard line.  The Tigers failed to convert a short fourth down play from there, and was forced to go for the field goal that made it 28-10 at the break.

Hardin-Simmons scored once in each quarter after the half, but also held Trinity to just one touchdown - a fourth-quarter pass that capped a 98-yard drive.  

Jeremy Simmons led Trinity's rushing game with 82 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.  Starting running back Travis Williams carried just four times for 21 yards, suffering an early injury that kept him out for nearly the entire game.

Mason Blaschke completed 9-22 for 124 yards, while backup quarterback Robert Broyles came on later in the game.  Broyles was 8-18 for 145 yards and a touchdown.  

Matthew Kennemer finished with five receptions for 53 yards, but it was LeAndrew Gordon who led the Tiger receivers with four catches for 137 yards - including a 77-yard reception that is Trinity's longest of the season.  Kennemer also had 31 yards on a punt return and 36 total yards on kickoff returns for 120 all-purpose yards in the game.

Julian Turner recorded 11 tackles to lead the Trintiy defense, while Camden Joubert added eight stops.  Jai Boatman finished with six tackles and a fumble recovery - the only turnover Trinity forced in the game.  Martel Matthews also had six tackles, though 2.5 of those were for a loss of eight total yards.

Running back Kerry Sloan led Hardin-Simmons with three touchdowns on the day, rushing 20 times for 135 yards and two scores, and also catching a seven-yard TD as well.  Quarterback Weston Garner completed 18-27 through the air for 220 yards and four scores.  Jessie Ramos caught two of the touchdown passes from Garner, totaling five receptions for 85 yards.

The Tigers return home next weekend, facing off against the University of Chicago during Trinity Alumni Weekend.  Trinity and Chicago kick off at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 11.