ABILENE, Texas (Football) – Despite throwing three interceptions that led to 13 points, Texas A&M University-Kingsville (1-3, 0-2 LSC) had a chance to come from behind and escape Abilene with a victory. However, McMurry University (2-1, 1-1 LSC) sealed the victory, 27-21, after their third pick of the game with 53 seconds remaining in the Saturday evening contest at Wilford Moore Stadium.
 
Despite going 1-of-4 on red zone chances and 5-of-14 on third down conversions, the War Hawks dominated on special teams, led by punter David McHugh's five punts inside the 20.
 
A great defensive stand, highlighted by Braedon Robinson's tackle for a loss gave the Javelinas one last drive to rally from behind and win the game.
 
With 3:11 remaining in the game and two timeouts, the Hoggies were pinned at their own four-yard line. On fourth-and-17, Sebastian Taylor found Patrick LaFleur for a 22-yard completion to enter McMurry territory. However, on the ensuing play, the War Hawks sealed the victory, 27-21, after their third pick of the game. Prior to the drive, the Javelinas drove down the field – 10 plays for 75 yards – and capped off the 3:29 drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Thomas to cut their deficit to 27-21 with 5:42 remaining in the game.
 
An interception led to six points for McMurry on one play, but AA Vaalau blocked the extra point.
Shawn Vasquez returned the favor with a nine-yard rush as his first career touchdown, followed by a successful extra-point by Max Lehnig gave the Javelinas a 7-6 lead with 3:01 remaining in the first.
 
After a War Hawk touchdown, Alex Rios' quarterback sneak on the one-yard line gave the Javelinas its second lead of the first half, a 14-13 advantage, with 10:47 remaining.
 
The Javelinas made a huge play on the red zone, preserving its one-point lead after a forced fumble by Jonathan Robinson.
 
The War Hawks ended the first half with a 20-14 advantage after a five-yard rush on a fake punt and a 39-yard touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining.
 
Miscues continued to haunt the Javelinas as a second interception gave McMurry great field position and the War Hawks pounded the ball into the end zone to take a 27-14 lead with 5:55 left in the third quarter.
 
The Hogs outgained the War Hawks on the ground, with sophomore Greg Pitre leading all rushered with 117 yards on 16 carries. Vasquez added 11 rushes for 71 yards and a score, and LaFleur finished with four catches for 62 yards. Braedon Robinson led all players with 3.5 tackles for a loss. Joe Crowe broke up four passes and Trevor Pesek registered nine tackles.
 
"We have to take care of the football and make sure that we improve on all phases," said head coach David Calloway. "I thought we started off well and at the end, we had a chance despite all of our turnovers, but we have to do a better job as a group on offense, defense and special teams."
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville returns to Javelina Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4 to host Eastern New Mexico University (2-2, 0-2 LSC) at 7 p.m. on Pueblo Tires & Service Family Fiesta Weekend.
 
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