MARSHALL, Texas — Giving No. 6 Hardin-Simmons University all they could handle, East Texas Baptist University came up shy of the upset, 34-16, on Saturday at Ornelas Stadium in American Southwest Conference play. ETBU's defense forced three fumbles, recovering two, had a blocked extra point for two points, and a 99-yard combined fumble return for a touchdown. The Tigers are now 4-3 and 0-3 in the ASC.
 
Hardin-Simmons controlled the game with 420 total yards and five touchdowns, holding possession of the ball for 32 minutes. ETBU's offense finished with 272 yards, 180 of which came in the air and 92 on the ground.
 
Jaylen Spriggs completed 16 of 30 passes for 180 yards, throwing one touchdown. Kyler Paul contributed with three receptions totaling 45 yards, including a touchdown. Jace Roberts had three receptions for 53 yards, and Jordan Woodard added 26 yards rushing.
 
Davion Bouldwin and Logan Hudson combined for a fumble return of 99 yards and a touchdown on defense. Hudson went 60 yards after the recovery and then lateraled it to Bouldwin for the defensive touchdown. Hudson led the team with seven solo tackles as Dominick Williams also had seven tackles. Colton Wilson, Tory Jacobos, and Gavin Massey had a sack.
 
ETBU opened the game by deferring the kickoff, allowing Hardin-Simmons to start with possession. Hardin-Simmons quickly made an impact with an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play, for the 7-0 lead. ETBU responded with a steady drive, highlighted by Spriggs connecting with Kobe Chambers for a 13-yard completion and later with Kyler Paul for a 40-yard touchdown pass, leveling the score at 7-7 with 10:22 on the clock.
 
Hardin-Simmons regained the lead with another touchdown drive, culminating in a 25-yard touchdown for a 14-7 lead at 3:43 in the first quarter. ETBU's subsequent drive was hampered by two sacks, forcing a punt. The period concluded with Hardin-Simmons leading 14-7.
 
The second quarter began with the Tigers' pivotal defensive stand, highlighted by Massey's sack, which pushed Hardin-Simmons back and resulted in a turnover. Spriggs then orchestrated a significant drive, overcoming an early sack by rushing for 22 yards on third down and converting a critical fourth down with Keegan Davis. This effort advanced the ball into Hardin-Simmons territory, but the drive stalled following a missed 35-yard field goal attempt.
 
As the period progressed, ETBU's defense applied pressure, with Tory Jacobs notching another sack to halt Hardin-Simmons' momentum. Returning to offense, Spriggs led a methodical drive, including a 24-yard pass to Bryson Ortega-Duplechain that brought the team to the 7-yard line. However, a costly interception to HSU was returned for a touchdown in the closing seconds from 97-yards as ETBU was looking to tie the game before the half. Despite the setback, Neiman Sullen's 88-yard defensive PAT return narrowed the deficit to 20-9 at halftime.
 
The Tigers struggled starting the third, leading to a quick three-and-out after two unsuccessful rushing attempts and an incomplete pass. Hardin-Simmons capitalized on the field position, moving the ball effectively on the ground and eventually scoring a touchdown with a 5-yard rush, extending their lead to 27-9.
 
ETBU responded with a drive highlighted by a 9-yard pass from Spriggs to Chambers, but ultimately turned the ball over on downs. On defense, Williams and Kemaur Johnson stood firm, stopping multiple rushing attempts.
 
After a lightning delay of about an hour, Bouldwin made a notable defensive play by recovering a fumble, regaining possession for ETBU. The quarter closed with the Tigers trailing 27-9.
 
The fourth quarter began with the Tigers trailing. Hardin-Simmons opened with a productive drive, culminating in a touchdown run, pushing their lead to 34-9. ETBU responded with a promising possession, highlighted by a 35-yard completion from Spriggs to Zay Thomas. However, the drive ended on a turnover on downs at the Hardin-Simmons 28-yard line, leaving the score unchanged.
 
Later in the quarter, Hardin-Simmons fumbled at the one-yard line as Hudson recovered the ball and returned it 60 yards, with a lateral to Bouldwin, who completed the return for a touchdown. Mitchell White's extra point reduced the deficit to 34-16 with just under three minutes remaining. Hardin-Simmons maintained possession for the final moments to seal the win.
 
ETBU will be off next week and returns to action on November 1 when they travel to Belton, Texas, to face Mary Hardin-Baylor at 1:00 p.m.
 

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East Tex. Baptist Top Performers
 Kyler Paul 
- 45 receiving yards 
- 3 receptions 
- 1 touchdown 
 
Jaylen Spriggs 
- 16 completions on 30 attempts 
- 180 passing yards 
- 1 passing touchdown 
 
Davion Bouldwin 
- 3 tackles 
- 1 forced fumble 
- 1 fumble recovery for a 40-yard touchdown 
 
Jordan Woodard 
- 26 rushing yards on 10 attempts 
 
Dominick Williams 
- 7 tackles 
- 1 blocked kick