Box Score

ABILENE- A second half rally late in the third quarter propelled No. 10/12 Hardin-Simmons University to a 53-29 conference opening victory over visiting Sul Ross in front of a crowd of more than 2,700 Saturday at Shelton Stadium.

With the loss the Lobos drop to 1-3 on the season and begin ASC play at 0-1. The Cowboys improve to 4-0 and 1-0.

Sully will make preparations this week as Belhaven visits Jackson Field next Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. homecoming kickoff.

Sul Ross put the first points on the board with 11 minutes remaining in the first quarter as junior quarterback James Davis (Houston/South) scored on a 71 yard trek capping six plays and 89 yards.

Adam Cruz (Canutillo/CHS) missed his first extra point of the season for a 6-0 Lobo lead.

The Cowboys responded at 4:25 as Jaquan Hemphill scampered from a yard out before the extra point kick by Tyler Smith put HSU ahead.

Davis answered on the ensuing possession with another mega scoring run from 75 yards out. Davis then connected with Steven Savedra (El Paso/Del Valle) for a two-point conversion at the 3:21 mark.

With one second remaining in the opening period HSU's Weston Garner scored from one yard after finishing off a 10-play, 65 yard march. Smith's extra point kick failed as Sul Ross clung to a 14-13 lead heading to the second quarter.

Hardin-Simmons took the go ahead at 13:09 as Hemphill scored on another one yard hopper before Smith made good on the extra point.

With 4:57 left before the break Davis found Wesley Moss (San Antonio/Brennan) on a 29 yard touchdown pass. Cruz found his mark on the extra point as the Lobos reclaimed the lead, 21-20.

The Cowboys posted the final score of the half at 52 seconds as Garner hit Hemphill on a four yard toss. The two-point conversion attempt failed but HSU enjoyed a 26-21 advantage heading to intermission.

Sul Ross tipped the lead back in its direction with 12:25 left in the third period as Edgar Hinojosa (Dickinson/DHS) scored on a 26-yard pass from Davis. Jeremy Reed (Grandview, MO/GHS) then converted a two-point conversion on a throw from Davis for a 29-26 Lobo lead.  

It would mark the final time Sully would find the end zone as the Cowboys went on a 27-0 scoring stampede over the remainder of competition.

As a team the Lobos outperformed Hardin-Simmons in rushing yards, 280-134 but the Cowboys pulled up the slack with 394 yards through the air with 187 aerial yards for Sul Ross.

Davis ran the ball 14 times netting 183 yards with two scores. Davis completed 17 of 31 passes for 187 and two strikes but was picked off three times.

Moss led Lobo receivers with five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Jacob Castaneda (El Paso/Franklin) paced the defense with 11 tackles while Damian Espinoza (Katy/John Paul) recorded a forced fumble.

Zack Roberson (Houston/Cypress Ridge) had a sack while Terrence Willie (Jacksonville, FL/Mandarin) and Ennis Harmon (Beaumont/Ozen) posted a breakup each.