Venue & Game Info
Location: Shelton Stadium, Abilene, Texas
Kickoff: 12:00 PM CT
Capacity: ~6,500 (outdoor stadium)
Weather Forecast: ~58°F, partly cloudy, winds SW 8–10 mph, low chance of rain
Broadcast: NCAA.com / ESPN+
Injury Report
Trinity (TX) Tigers: QB Tucker Horn (shoulder soreness) probable; RB Evan Powell (ankle) questionable.
Hardin-Simmons Cowboys: WR Keegan Brewer (hamstring) probable; LB Cade Fuller (knee) out for season.
Key Player Matchups
Quarterbacks:
Trinity: Tucker Horn – 2,785 yards, 27 TD, 6 INT
Hardin-Simmons: Kolby Mott – 2,345 yards, 22 TD, 7 INT
Running Backs:
Trinity: Evan Powell – 1,045 yards, 12 TD (questionable)
Hardin-Simmons: Kaiden Meeks – 987 yards, 9 TD
Receivers:
Trinity: Carter Self – 865 yards, 8 TD
Hardin-Simmons: Keegan Brewer – 1,102 yards, 10 TD (probable)
Defensive Leaders:
Trinity: LB Mason Williams – 102 tackles, 7 sacks
Hardin-Simmons: DL Cade Fuller – 88 tackles, 9 sacks (injured)
Recent Team Form
Trinity (TX):
W vs Southwestern (28-24)
W vs Austin College (35-21)
L vs Mary Hardin-Baylor (31-20)
W vs Texas Lutheran (42-14)
W vs Birmingham-Southern (38-17)
Hardin-Simmons:
W vs Howard Payne (27-24)
W vs McMurry (35-14)
L vs Mary Hardin-Baylor (34-20)
W vs Sul Ross State (41-10)
W vs East Texas Baptist (38-17)
Series History
Trinity and Hardin-Simmons have met multiple times in postseason play.
Hardin-Simmons leads the all-time series 5–3.
Last meeting: 2022, Trinity won 14–7 in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
Betting Trends
Trinity has covered in 4 of last 5 games.
Hardin-Simmons is 3-2 ATS in last 5, but struggled against nationally ranked opponents.
Trinity games trend under due to strong defense; Hardin-Simmons games trend over due to offensive shootouts.
Historical Betting Results
Trinity covered vs Birmingham-Southern (-3.5), winning 38–17.
Hardin-Simmons failed to cover vs Mary Hardin-Baylor (+6.5), losing 34–20.
Trinity 6–2 ATS in playoff games since 2020.
Hardin-Simmons 5–3 ATS in playoff games since 2019.
Projected Score: Hardin-Simmons 28 – Trinity 24
Reasoning: Hardin-Simmons’ balanced offense and home-field advantage should control the game. Trinity’s upset potential hinges on Horn’s passing efficiency and Powell’s health, but Hardin-Simmons’ depth and ASC-tested defense make them slight favorites.
Final Take: Expect a physical, defensive-minded playoff clash. Trinity’s SAA championship pedigree meets Hardin-Simmons’ ASC tradition, with the Cowboys favored to advance in Abilene.
Game Odds
Trinity (TX) Tigers 51.5
Hardin-Simmons Cowboys – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
