HBU hammered by Abilene

Luke Anthony threw three touchdown passes, and Abilene Christian pulled away after halftime to beat Houston Baptist 38-13 on Saturday at Husky Stadium.

Bailey Zappe threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to David Racine on the second play from scrimmage, and HBU owned its only lead of the game at 6-0. Anthony responded to help lead the Wildcats on a seven-play, 72-yard drive that ended with his 5-yard touchdown pass to Billy McCrary. McCrary later ran it in from 5 yards out with 8:53 before halftime and a 14-6 lead.

Abilene Christian (2-1, 1-0 Southland Conference) took control in the third when Anthony threw a 67-yard score to Chase Cokley, and a 14-yard score to Kalin Sadler, that was sandwiched between a field goal for a 31-6 lead.

The Wildcats collected 594 yards of offense and converted 11 of 18 thirddown opportunities. Abilene Christian held the ball for more than 36 minutes and ran for 335 yards on 46 carries (7.3 yards per rush).

Zappe threw for 237 yards for HBU (1-2, 0-2).

NORTH DAKOTA 24 SAM HOUSTON ST. 23

Nate Ketteringham threw a touchdown to Noah Wanzek late in the fourth quarter to put his team on top for good as the Fighting Hawks edged the Bearkats in Huntsville.

North Dakota (2-1) trailed through most of the second half and were behind 23-17 when Ketteringham took the team 84 yards in 12 plays, capping the drive with an 8-yard strike to Wanzek for a 24-23 lead with 4:44 remaining. The North Dakota defense held fast after that, forcing Sam Houston State to give up the ball after four downs.

Mike Dare threw for 201 yards for Sam Houston State (1-1). Kyran Jackson ran for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

ALCORN ST. 27 TEXAS SOUTHERN 15

Noah Johnson accounted for 322 yards of offense and three touchdowns in the first half, and the Braves opened Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a victory over the Tigers in Loman, Miss.

Johnson tallied 263 yards on 16-of-21 passing and carried nine times for 59 yards and a score as Alcorn State (2-1) piled up 388 yards of offense and rolled to a 27-0 lead by halftime.

Texas Southern (1-2) managed just 86 yards of offense in the first half, including minus-2 yards rushing on 14 carries.