2023 American Southwest Conference football season

The 2023 American Southwest Conference football season was the season of college football played by the eight member schools of the American Southwest Conference (ASC) as part of the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. The 2023 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team compiled a 9–2 record (6–0 in conference games), won the ASC championship, and made it to the NCAA Division III first round where they lost to Trinity (TX) 20–6.

2023 American Southwest Conference football season
SportFootball
Number of teams8
ChampionHardin–Simmons
Football seasons
← 2022
2024 →
2023 American Southwest Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 16 Hardin–Simmons $^   6 0     9 2  
Mary Hardin–Baylor   5 1     6 4  
Howard Payne   3 3     6 4  
McMurry   3 3     6 4  
East Texas Baptist   3 3     5 5  
Texas Lutheran   1 5     2 8  
Austin   0 6     1 9  
Sul Ross*   0 0     4 6  
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NCAA Division III playoff participant
  • * Note: Sul Ross ineligible for D3 postseason play and conference games due to start of transition to D2.
Rankings from D3Football.com

Teams

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Hardin–Simmons

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2023 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football
 
ASC champion
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Ranking
D3Football.comNo. 16
Record9–2 (6–0 ASC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJeff Whitehead (13th season)
Defensive coordinatorZach Wilkerson (10th season)
Home stadiumShelton Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team represented Hardin–Simmons University of Abilene, Texas. In their 13th year under head coach Jesse Burleson, the team compiled a 9–2 record (6–0 against ASC opponents), won the ASC championship, and made it to the NCAA Division III first round where they lost to Trinity (TX) 20–6.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 1Albright*
W 47–32,804
September 9at No. 11 Wisconsin–La Crosse*W 28–213,183[1]
September 22at Endicott*
L 10–372,237[2]
September 30Howard Payne
  • Shelton Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 40–332,611
October 7at McMurryW 19–160
October 14Texas Lutheran
  • Shelton Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 27–223,122
October 21at Sul Ross*
W 55–7194
October 28Mary Hardin–Baylor
  • Shelton Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 24–143,421
November 4at Austin
W 59–192,743
November 11at East Texas Baptist
W 42–271,003
November 18at No. 6 Trinity (TX)*L 6–201,069[3]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[4]

Mary Hardin–Baylor

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2023 Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record6–4 (5–1 ASC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorAndy Padron (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorJack Johnson (2nd season)
Home stadiumCrusader Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Mary Hardin–Baylor Crusaders football team represented the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor of Belton, Texas. In their second year under head coach Larry Harmon, the team compiled a 6–4 record (5–1 against ASC opponents) and finished second in the ASC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at No. 23 Wisconsin–River Falls*L 22–452,124[5]
September 9at No. 5 Trinity (TX)*
L 16–351,776
September 16 No. 4 Wisconsin–Whitewater*L 14–172,500[6]
September 23McMurry 
  • Crusader Stadium
  • Belton, TX
W 50–93,828
October 7at Texas Lutheran
W 55–21310
October 14Sul Ross*
  • Crusader Stadium
  • Belton, TX
W 37–133,307
October 21at Austin
W 49–140
October 28at No. 20 Hardin–Simmons
L 14–243,421
November 4East Texas Baptist
  • Crusader Stadium
  • Belton, TX
W 21–122,850
November 11at Howard Payne
W 35–102,155
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[7]

Howard Payne

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2023 Howard Payne Yellow Jackets football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record6–4 (3–3 ASC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBrad Wilson (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorNick Forde (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorCade Gray (1st season)
Home stadiumGordon Wood Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Howard Payne Yellow Jackets football team represented Howard Payne University of Brownwood, Texas. In their first year under head coach Kevin Bachtel, the team compiled a 6–4 record (3–3 against ASC opponents) and finished tied for third in the ASC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at George Fox*
W 17–31,531[8]
September 9SAGU*
W 42–101,275
September 16Lyon*
  • Gordon Wood Stadium
  • Brownwood, TX
W 85–01,525
September 30at No. 18 Hardin–Simmons
L 33–402,611[9]
October 7East Texas Baptist
  • Gordon Wood Stadium
  • Brownwood, TX
W 28–141,325
October 14Austin 
  • Gordon Wood Stadium
  • Brownwood, TX
W 35–113,125
October 21at McMurryL 21–45200
October 28Texas Lutheran
  • Gordon Wood Stadium
  • Brownwood, TX
W 31–271,100
November 4at Sul Ross
L 42–47269
November 11Mary Hardin–Baylor
  • Gordon Wood Stadium
  • Brownwood, TX
L 10–352,155
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[10]

McMurry

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2023 McMurry War Hawks football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record6–4 (3–3 ASC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorWill Snyder (2nd season)
Home stadiumWilford Moore Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 McMurry War Hawks football team represented McMurry University of Abilene, Texas. In their fifth year under head coach Jordan Neal, the team compiled a 6–4 record (3–3 against ASC opponents) and finished tied for third in the ASC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 31vs. Birmingham–Southern*L 19–2025
September 9at Millsaps*
W 53–2257[11]
September 23at No. 23 Mary Hardin–BaylorL 9–503,828
September 30Lyon*W 52–143,100
October 7 No. 5 Hardin–Simmons
  • Wilford Moore Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
L 16–19 (OT)0[12]
October 14at East Texas Baptist
L 13–141,732
October 21Howard Payne
  • Wilford Moore Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 45–21200
October 28Austin 
  • Wilford Moore Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 51–131,124
November 4at Texas Lutheran
W 36–33600
November 11Sul Ross*
  • Wilford Moore Stadium
  • Abilene, TX
W 43–23100
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[13]

East Texas Baptist

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2023 East Texas Baptist Tigers football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record5–5 (3–3 ASC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTrevor Hopkins (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorJordan Collins (1st season)
Home stadiumOrnelas Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 East Texas Baptist Tigers football team represented East Texas Baptist University of Marshall, Texas. In their first year under head coach Calvin Ruzicka, the team compiled a 5–5 record (3–3 against ASC opponents) and finished tied for third in the ASC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 1at Louisiana Christian*
L 14–344,221
September 9Hendrix*
W 38–37671
September 16 No. 23 Wisconsin–Oshkosh*
  • Ornelas Stadium
  • Marshall, TX
L 7–60379
September 30Austin
  • Ornelas Stadium
  • Marshall, TX
W 35–72,017
October 7at Howard Payne
L 14–281,325
October 14McMurry
  • Ornelas Stadium
  • Marshall, TX
W 14–131,732
October 21at Texas Lutheran
W 16–61,300
October 28Sul Ross 
  • Ornelas Stadium
  • Marshall, TX
W 24–101,276
November 4at Mary Hardin–BaylorL 12–212,850[14]
November 11 No. 19 Hardin–Simmons
  • Ornelas Stadium
  • Marshall, TX
L 27–421,003
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[15]

Texas Lutheran

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2023 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record2–8 (1–5 ASC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorBeau Grech (2nd season)
Home stadiumBulldog Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Texas Lutheran Bulldogs football team represented Texas Lutheran University of Seguin, Texas. In their second year under head coach Neal LaHue, the team compiled a 2–8 record (1–5 against ASC opponents) and finished sixth in the ASC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at No. 21 Wisconsin–Oshkosh*L 31–482,396[16]
September 9at Southwestern (TX)*
W 39–72,400
September 16Ave Maria*
L 14–27500
September 30at Sul Ross*
L 34–37194
October 7 No. 22 Mary Hardin–Baylor
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Seguin, TX
L 21–55310
October 14at No. 20 Hardin–Simmons
L 22–273,122
October 21East Texas Baptist 
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Seguin, TX
L 6–161,300
October 28at Howard Payne
L 27–311,100
November 4McMurry
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Seguin, TX
L 33–36600
November 11Austin
  • Bulldog Stadium
  • Seguin, TX
W 29–101,000
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[17]

Austin

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2023 Austin Kangaroos football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record1–9 (0–6 ASC)
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorGeorge Love (1st season)
Home stadiumApple Stadium
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Austin Kangaroos football team represented Austin College of Sherman, Texas. In their first year under head coach Tony Joe White, the team compiled a 1–9 record (0–6 against ASC opponents) and finished last in the ASC.

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2Nebraska Wesleyan*
L 7–191,253
September 9at Rhodes*
L 17–191,200
September 23at Crown*
W 34–23125
September 30at East Texas Baptist
L 7–352,017
October 7Sul Ross*
  • Apple Stadium
  • Sherman, TX
L 7–49986
October 14at Howard Payne
L 11–353,125
October 21 No. 23 Mary Hardin–Baylor
  • Apple Stadium
  • Sherman, TX
L 14–490
October 28at McMurryL 13–511,135
November 4 No. 20 Hardin–Simmons 
  • Apple Stadium
  • Sherman, TX
L 19–590
November 11at Texas Lutheran
L 10–291,000
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[18]

Sul Ross

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2023 Sul Ross Lobos football
ConferenceAmerican Southwest Conference
Record4–6 (0–0 ASC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorChristian Escobar (1st season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorCadron Davis (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumJackson Field
Seasons
← 2022
2024 →

The 2023 Sul Ross Lobos football team represented Sul Ross State University of Alpine, Texas. In their second year under head coach Barry Derickson, the team compiled a 4–6 record but was ineligible for ASC conference play due to the team's transition to the NCAA Division II's Lone Star Conference (LSC).

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Western New Mexico*
L 28–42635
September 9Eastern New Mexico*
L 12–51243
September 16Wayland Baptist*
  • Jackson Field
  • Alpine, TX
W 27–7140
September 30Texas Lutheran*
  • Jackson Field
  • Alpine, TX
W 37–34194
October 7at Austin*
W 49–7986
October 14at No. 22 Mary Hardin–Baylor*L 13–373,307
October 21 No. 19 Hardin–Simmons*
  • Jackson Field
  • Alpine, TX
L 7–55194
October 28at East Texas Baptist*
L 10–241,276
November 4Howard Payne*
  • Jackson Field
  • Alpine, TX
W 47–42269
November 11at McMurry*L 23–37100
  • *Non-conference game
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[19]

References

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  1. ^ Krause, James (September 10, 2023). "UW-La Crosse football team loses to Hardin-Simmons". La Crosse Tribune. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Ford, Nathaniel (September 25, 2023). "Endicott Football Makes History, Stuns No. 5/5 Hardin-Simmons". Endicott Observer. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  3. ^ Hogue, Cory (November 18, 2023). "Trinity defense leads Tigers past Hardin-Simmons in DIII playoffs". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  4. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Hardin-Simmons University. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Burrows, Bob (September 3, 2023). "College football: UWRF crushes third-ranked UMHB in season opener". River Falls Journal. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Drennan, Eric (September 17, 2023). "0-3 UMHB sees improvement in 17-14 loss to No. 4 Whitewater". KDH Pressbox. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Jackets' defense smothers George Fox in opener, 17-3". Brownwood Bulletin. September 3, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Chamberlain, Miriam (September 30, 2023). "Hardin-Simmons win 16th straight over Howard Payne, 40-33". Big Country Homepage. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Howard Payne University Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "McMurry secures big first win against Millsaps 53-2". Big Country Homepage. September 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Richards, Joey D. (October 7, 2023). "No. 18 Hardin-Simmons overcomes McMurry in overtime". Abilene Reporter News. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  13. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". McMurry University Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  14. ^ Drennan, Eric (November 4, 2023). "UMHB dominates 2nd half for 21-12 win over East Texas Baptist". KDH Pressbox. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". East Texas Baptist University Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  16. ^ Link, Jacob (September 7, 2023). "Titans best Bulldogs 48-31 in home opener". The Advance-Titan. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "2023 Texas Lutheran Football Schedule". Texas Lutheran University. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "2023 Kangaroo Football Schedule". Austin College. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  19. ^ "2023 Football Schedule". Sul Ross State University Athletics. Retrieved July 9, 2024.