Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Louisiana Christian University Athletics

Louisiana Christian University Logo Louisiana Christian University Logo
HSU Gameday banner

Football vs Hardin-Simmons - Preview/Broadcast Info

10/7/2016 1:51:00 PM


Follow the Wildcats with any of the links below.

Live video provided by Jeff Young and the LC Convergence Media department.  HERE

Rich Dupree and Al Quartemont live on 104.3 The Bridge or online via the TuneIn App or website, HERE

Live stats of the game can be accessed, HERE

Gameday Quick Facts

Media Game Notes

#12 Hardin-Simmons Cowboys vs Louisiana College Wildcats
Wildcat Field (Pineville, LA)
Start Time: 6 p.m. CST
HPU Record: 4-0
LC Record: 3-1

Coming off by far their best defensive performance of the season in last week's 35-7 conference opening win over Howard Payne, the Louisiana College Wildcats football team will need to be just as impressive against a 4-0 high powered, nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons team this weekend. The Cowboys will come to Pineville with a potent offense that ranks in the top 20 in all of Division III in passing offense (10th), scoring offense (T-11th), and total offense (18th). A major piece of the explosive Hardin-Simmons attack is the connection between quarterback Ryan Breton and receiver Reese Childress. Only a sophomore, Childress is piling up yards in chunks, as he leads the ASC in most receivnig categories, and he ranks fourth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game with 155.8, with seven touchdowns.

On top of their season best performace last week, the Wildcats defense added to their conference lead with three more takeaways, giving them 18 on the year through four games.  The ball hawking LC secondary, including last week's ASC Defensive Player of the Week Lecorey Demease, matching up with Childress and a talented group of HSU receivers could determine which team is able to come away with the victory this week.

With as explosive as Hardin-Simmons' offense is the Louisiana College attack has been just as good under the helm of new offensive coordinator Ben McLaughlin and a return to form by quarterback Easton Melancon. The Wildcats are ranked 10th in the NCAA Division III in scoring offense at 47.8 points per game, 15th in passing offense, and 19th in total offense.  Melancon is thrid in Division III in passing yards per game and on of just three Division III quarterbacks averaging more than 400 yards per game through the air.  Melancon's favorite target so far this year has been Shed Davis, who leads the team with 24 catches for 439 yards, but he has spread the ball around quite well to his other targets.  Lamar Carroway, Lawrence Williams, and Farron Jones all have over 200 yards receiving and Cole Crook is over 100 yards on the season.

A passing game that is so dynamic with so many options on every play also allows for the Wildcats to have the success they have had on the groung this year with a more experienced offensive line and the speed and power of running back Aurren Cooksey.  The senior from North DeSoto High School has turned in the best four game stretch of his career, including a career best 201 rushing yards last week agaisnt Howard Payne.  Cooksey has gone over 100 yards in three of the Wildcats four games this year and became just the thrid running back since the year 2000 to pass 2,000 career rushing yards. If Cooksey and the offensive reach at least 100 yards again this week, that would be the first time in his career Cooksey would rush for 100 plus yards in three consecutive games, and more importantly it would give the Wildcats a tremendous chance at winning the game.

Players to Watch

5340Aurren Cooksey (Sr.-RB)
Cooksey is fresh off his career best 201 yard performance against Howard Payne, if he and the offensive line can establish the running game with some success, Melancon and the passing game will have alot more room to work with over the top.










5586Willie Smith (Jr.-CB)
With the Hardin-Simmons passing attack and the focus of Reese Childress, Willie Smith could be matched up with him all game.  Smith is a first team all-conference lock down corner and if he is able to cover Childress man-to-man throughout the game, that will slow down the high powered Cowboys offense. 
 
Print Friendly Version