BELTON- Third-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor used big plays and a 20-point fourth quarter to outlast visiting Sul Ross State University 62-20 in American Southwest Conference football action Saturday (Oct. 10).

The unbeaten Crusaders (5-0, 2-0 ASC) used a pair of touchdown passes from Zach Anderson to turn a 20-14 edge into a 35-14 halftime margin. Touchdown runs of six and 75 yards by Sterling Scott and Michael Carpenter, respectively, along with two John Mowery field goals, put the game out of reach in the final 15 minutes.

Sul Ross (1-4, 0-2), used touchdown strikes of 55 and 38 yards from James Davis (Houston/South Houston HS) to Steven Saavedra (El Paso/Del Valle HS) to stay close in the first half. Calvin Henderson (Cameron/Yue HS) caught a two-point conversion after Saavedra's second score.
Jermaine Stevens (Houston/South Houston HS) returned an interception 23 yards in the third quarter for the Lobos' other points.

Anderson hurled four touchdown strikes for UMHB, three to Weyhe Walker of 79, seven and 19 yards. Bryce Wilkerson added a 69-yard punt return and Pierce Thedford had a 16-yard pick six for the Cru, who extended their regular-season winning streak to 59 games, including 39 successive conference triumphs.

"Mary Hardin-Baylor has an excellent program, and I am extremely proud of the way we played," said Sul Ross coach John Pearce. "We stayed in the game in the first half, but basically, several big plays made the score lopsided."

"Overall, I really liked our effort. We competed for four quarters, and I think they (UMHB) are sore today, too," said Pearce. "It was a physical game on both sides."

Davis, returning to the starting lineup after missing three games with a foot injury, competed 14 of 26 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Williston Greer (Austin/Del Valle HS) rushed for 103 yards in 20 trips to bolster the ground game. Saavedra snared seven passes for 130 yards; Byron Jones (League City/Clear Springs HS) had four catches for 54 yards and Henderson had three for 21.

Sul Ross finished with 330 total yards, while the Cru amassed 660, 283 rushing and 377 passing.

Stephen Slater (Montalba/Cayuga HS) averaged 40.3 yards on nine punts, while Ferine Gonzalez (El Paso/Canutillo HS) and Damian Espinoza (Katy/Pope John XXIII HS) had 10 and nine tackles, respectively. Mike Quinone (El Paso/El Dorado HS) had two sacks among his six stops, while Sarkeithian Thomas (Beaumont/Ozen HS) and Espinoza each recovered a fumble. Stevens broke up two passes, intercepted another and blocked a kick.

Pearce praised his offensive line for their continued improvement, and also the play of his quarterbacks. He has also used freshman Jordan Reyes (El Paso/Hanks HS) and Paul Rodriguez (Weslaco/Weslaco HS) this season.

"We have three good quarterbacks and we will use the 'hot hand,'" he said. "Our principal receivers (Saavedra, Jones and Henderson) continue to do an excellent job of getting open. Saavedra had a great game, Jones made some big catches to keep drives going and Calvin (Henderson) will be getting more touches because of the effectiveness of the other two."

The Lobos ended a four-game, five-week odyssey and will host Hardin-Simmons University at Jackson Field in a 6 p.m. game this Saturday (Oct. 17). The Cowboys are unbeaten in five starts, 2-0 in ASC action.

"I think we can compete with them, especially at home," Pearce said. "It has been a long five weeks away from Alpine, so it's good to be back."