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THE OPENING KICK
The Sul Ross State University Lobos (4-3, 2-1 ASC) return to Jackson Field to wrap up the month of October against No. 3 and undefeated University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (7-0, 4-0 ASC). Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 29.
MEDIA INFORMATION
QUICK HITS AND RECAP
- Sul Ross rebounded from a 21-15 fourth quarter deficit and went on to defeat host McMurry University (2-4, 0-3 ASC), 35-21 Saturday at the annual I-20 Shootout.
- Saturday's victory over the War Hawks puts the Lobos on a three-game winning streak.
- The Lobos outpaced McMurry in total offensive yardage, 367-255.
- Jordan Batson (San Antonio/Wagner) led the running game with 13 carries for 63 yards and two scores.
- Quarterback James Davis (Houston/South) finished the day completing 11 of 18 passes for 163 yards.
- Byron Jones (League City/Clear Springs) posted four catches for 97 yards and two trips to the end zone.
- Damian Espinoza (Katy/Pope John Paul), Alonte Thomas (Cameron/Yoe) and Zack Roberson (Houston/Cypress Ridge) all accounted for seven tackles. Thomas notched three sacks in the victory including a breakup.
SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS (from UMHB sports info.)
- The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team rallied from its first fourth-quarter deficit of the season by forcing a crucial turnover and the Cru survived a challenge from nationally-ranked Hardin-Simmons to post a 20-15 victory over the Cowboys Saturday afternoon in Belton.
- UMHB improves to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in American Southwest Conference play with the win and takes over sole possession of first place in the ASC. The loss drops HSU to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in ASC play on the year.
- The Cru was limited to just 300 yards of total offense with 176 of those coming through the air. Hardin-Simmons finished with 367 yards of total offense, but committed the game's only turnover.
- The Cowboys were the first team this season to hold UMHB under 50 points in a game.
- Blake Jackson was 17-23 for 176 yards and two touchdowns for the Cru.
- T.J. Josey caught five passes for 85 yards and Markeith Miller led the running game with nine carries for 44 yards. Baylor Mullins has 10 total tackles, put five of his six punts inside the Cowboy 20-yard line and added a 25-yard run from punt formation for a first down for UMHB.
- UMHB also retired the #8 jersey of former Cru standout and current Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman at halftime of the contest. A permanent marker recognizing Freeman was also unveiled. He is the first UMHB football player to have his number retired.
- The Crusaders rank second in the ASC in scoring offense scoring 382 points against their opposition which is just five points behind league leader East Texas Baptist University.
- UMHB leads the conference in scoring defense allowing just 98 points and giving up 14 points per game on average.
- The Cru also leads the conference total defense (1932 yds.), rushing offense (1624 yds.), rushing defense (560 yds.) and pass defense (1372 yds.)
- Teidrick Smith ranks second in the ASC in sacks with five, two behind league leader Zack Roberson.
SERIES HISTORY
- UMHB leads the all-time series against Sul Ross with an undefeated 18-0 record.
- The Crusaders edged the Lobos, 28-25 in the first season of intercollegiate football at UMHB (1998).
LAST MEETING (Oct. 10, 2015)
- 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 last season in Belton.
- 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 Savedra (El Paso/Del Valle HS) to stay close in the first half. Calvin Henderson (Cameron/Yue HS) caught a two-point conversion after Savedra'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.
- 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.
SUL ROSS TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- The Lobos rank third in the ASC in rushing offense netting 1177 yards after seven games.
- Sully ranks third in rushing defense holding opponents to 890 yards on the ground.
- Sul Ross is fourth in the league in interceptions with 10 with returns of 117 yards.
- As a team the Lobos are second in sacks totaling nine for a total loss of 74 yards.
- Davis ranks eighth among the ASC's top 10 rushers with 73 carries for 387 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Davis is sixth among the conference's top 10 total offensive yards producers at 1834 yards (387 -rush/1447-pass).
- Roberson ranks 13th out of the league's top 50 tacklers with a current season total of 50.
- Roberson leads the ASC in tackles for loss at -79 yards.
- Job Mason (Thorndale/THS) is second in the conference in passes defended with 12 breakups.
- Ennis Harmon (Beaumont/Ozen) and Mason are tied for fifth in the league in forced fumbles with two each.
- Thomas ranks second with a pair of fumble recoveries.
ASC RECAP (Week 8)
No. 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor 20, No. 8 Hardin-Simmons 20
BELTON, Texas - Mary Hardin-Baylor rallied from its first fourth-quarter deficit of the season after forcing a crucial turnover as the Cru survived a challenge from rival Hardin-Simmons to post a 20-15 victory over the Cowboys Saturday afternoon in Belton.
No. 19 East Texas Baptist 76, Howard Payne 14
MARSHALL, Texas - Dominating the homecoming game from beginning to end East Texas Baptist defeat Howard Payne, 76-14. The win for ETBU ensures a winning season for only the fifth time in program history and is only the second time ETBU has had back-to-back winning seasons.
Louisiana College 52, Belhaven 30
PINEVILLE, La. - After trailing to Belhaven at the end of the first half, Louisiana College used a 21-point third quarter to take control of the game and end the night with a 52-30 home victory.
QUOTES FROM COACH JOHN PEARCE
On Saturday's win at McM: Our guys are maturing and growing every week and it's now starting to show on the scoreboard. A lot of our players have been in the program for three years and they're really coming around in terms of focusing and preparing every week. I told them all last week that we were going to have to earn a win against McMurry. McMurry reminds me of where we were just a few years back. They have some good athletes. They're struggling in the win column right now but they have some very dangerous players that will make you pay if you give them any opportunities. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. No road trip in this conference is ever easy regardless of who we're playing.
On surrendering a halftime lead: We had some struggles in the first half and some of those carried over into the second half. We had some problems moving the ball in the third quarter. We had a hard time protecting our runners on a couple of series and playing into the wind provided some challenges. Turnovers were also a factor and there were just some things that were out of sink. McMurry also has some big, physical players on their defense that stepped up especially in the third quarter.
On containing the momentum of McM QB B.J. Ross: Our defense played very well for most of the game and we had probably the best tackle technique I've seen all season. We were able to really pressure Ross, break down their blocks and make some big sacks. They love to run the quarterback power read and they have a good running back but I told Kyle (Williams) we really need to stop their quarterback first, then the rest of their running game. He (Ross) was able to squeeze off a few big runs because we lost our containment but we recovered six of their turnovers which gave us the momentum and we were able to capitalize.
On the physical nature of Saturday's game: Our defense is as physical as any team in the conference. We may not have as solid of depth as other teams but we bring the wood every week. Coach Williams preaches that every week. It's all about intensity. We have to be a physical unit every series we're on the field.
On Alonte Thomas' three sacks: He's one our outside backers and we really try to utilize him in a lot of our schemes. I was joking with him Sunday that we should have moved him to defensive end after his performance against McMurry. He's also one of our better cover backers but this week he had the opportunity to come off the edge and made three sacks.
Thoughts on freshmen Jordan Batson and Adrion Smith: Jordan obviously has a lot of upside. I think we can say that about a lot of our freshmen. He's still figuring things out. He's a big back and fits into our mixture of running backs because we have some smaller folks in the backfield. Adrion had a big game for the second straight week. They both provide a "counter" compliment to our backfield.
On Saturday's fourth quarter comeback: Two years ago we would find some way to lose a game. But again, our players are maturing and learning to play with resiliency and work with the system. We're playing all four quarters although not all of those quarters are as a pretty as others. I think we saw that in the third quarter Saturday. But our guys are playing with confidence and starting to believe in themselves.
On a third consecutive win: Obviously winning is our goal every week. But this game against McMurry is over and we need to move ahead to UMHB. That's all of our focus right now.
Thoughts and keys heading into this week's game against No. 3 UMHB: By far this is the hardest conference in Division III football. You have to play everybody tough. Mary Hardin-Baylor played a heck of a game against Hardin-Simmons last weekend with a game-winning pick six in the fourth quarter. But we're just worried about the Lobos. We have to play our A game every week in this league. We need to continue to play physical, play clean, be disciplined on penalties, cause turnovers and protect the football.
