Just when it looked like the Houston Christian football program had turned the corner, a bus hit it.

Last season, the Huskies finished 6-5, their only winning season in the 11 years they have played on the Division I level. They also were 4-3 in the Southland Conference, their only winning mark since joining the league in 2014.

First-year head coach Braxton Harris had things going in the right direction. Harris then stunned Husky fans when he left the HCU after just one year to take over the Campbell program, forcing the Huskies to start again.

When Harris exited, more than a few key players left, leaving a big portion of the cupboard empty for new head coach Jason Bachtel.

“Expectations and beliefs are still high on campus, and that is a good thing,” Bachtel said before the season began. “But we are not satisfied. We want to build on the best season in school history.”

But the reality is the Huskies are back to the world of rebuilding. They are 2-3 as they begin conference play this week at home against McNeese State. 

HCU is coming off a nice win last week on the road at fellow FCS foe Indiana State, 27-24. It was the Huskies’ first win over a Division I program this season. Their other victory came against Division III Louisiana Christian 70-7 trouncing. 

Against Division I teams the Huskies have been outscored 163-59.

Since the program moved to Division I in 2013, HCU is just 28-87 and 11-60 in the SLC.

While for the most part HCU has struggled on the season, quarterback Eli Brickholder led them last week by throwing for one score and running for another. Despite sharing time with C.J. Rogers, Brickholded led the Husky run attack with 70 yards as HCU picked up 215 on the ground while giving up 245.

“They run almost every run play you can think of,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “That is who they are going to be.”

Despite that, the Huskies only average 120.6 yards a game on the ground with their leading rusher, Darryle Evans at just over 36.

None of those numbers matter to the Cowboys.

“This is about us,” said McDowell. “We have to play our game and take care of business.”

Still, after five straight losses to McNeese, the Huskies did win last year.

“A year ago they came to our place and knocked us off,” said Goff. “They have some talent. They are a solid team.

“They are a team where if you give them more opportunities they will score on you.”

The Cowboys will look not to let that happen too much this time around.