MARSHALL, Texas – Taking a quick 7-0 lead over #2/4 Hardin-Simmons University, East Texas Baptist University gave up 35 unanswered points as they fell in the year's final game, 45-23. ETBU finishes at 6-4 for their first winning season since 2019.
ETBU finished with over 400 yards of total offense, with 363 yards passing and 79 yards rushing.
Kaden Brown was 20-of-25 for 363 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 24 yards.
Zay Thomas led the team with a career-high 170 yards receiving on eight catches and one touchdown.
Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox added 141 yards receiving on four catches and one touchdown.
Justin Qualls had the rushing touchdown.
The defense held HSU to just 89 yards rushing.
Jahkamian Carr had seven tackles (5 solo) and 3.5 tackles for loss with one quarterback hurry.
Connor Jones recorded a sack and
Neiman Sullen recorded an interception.
It took ETBU just three plays to score starting the game as Thomas went 70-yards on a reception from Brown. After ETBU held HSU to three-and-out in their first possession, the Cowboys scored on their next two possessions to take a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
HSU scored 21 unanswered in the second quarter for a 35-7 lead. They blocked ETBU's field goal at 9:31, returning it 65 yards to go up 21-7. That momentum led to a 59-yard drive in four plays on their next possession, making it 28-7 on an 11-yard pass. With 1:44 left in the quarter, it took just three plays for a 70-yard score, and finishing on another touchdown pass pushed the lead to 35-7. ETBU didn't go away as Llanas-Wilcox caught a 69-yard pass for a touchdown with 20 seconds to go as the Tigers trailed, 35-13 at the half.
A slow third quarter gave HSU a field goal from 31 yards for a 38-13 lead. ETBU's
Pedro Cavazos followed with a 27-yard field goal at 5:52 in the fourth quarter, making it 38-16. HSU scored on the ensuing kickoff, going 90 yards for a 45-16 score. ETBU followed with a four-play, 65-yard drive as Qualls topped it off with a four-yard touchdown run, 45-23.
ETBU ended their season at 6-4 and went 4-2 at home.
