BELTON, Texas — For two quarters, the Sul Ross State football was able to go toe-to-toe with the No. 22 ranked team in the country.
Trailing 16-13 at the half, the Lobos were shutout 21-0 in the second half to drop to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, 37-13, on Saturday afternoon at Crusader Stadium.
>> HOW IT HAPPENED:
It was a rough start on the opening drive for the Lobo offense as the Crusaders got a safety with 13:29 on the clock.
Sul Ross State's defense came up big with a sack by
Marcellus Wright to force UMHB to go three-and-out on its first offensive series.
The Lobos took a 7-2 lead on the next drive as
Cyrin Myles threw a 27-yard touchdown pass over the middle to a wide-open
Isaiah Pena.
Sul Ross State used a 10-play, 70-yard drive to find the end zone.
UMHB regained the lead when Isaac Phe connected with Christopher Gacayan for a 10-yard touchdown with 3:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lobos went three-and-out on the next drive and then the defense got the ball back when the Crusaders fumbled and
Darrion Brown recovered.
Sul Ross State got three points on the turnover as
Carlos Arreola made a 24-yard field goal with 11:40 in the second quarter to give the Lobos a 10-9 lead.
UMHB went ahead 16-10 with 8:35 in the second quarter when Phe tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Romello Cook.
A 12-play, 53-yard drive gave Arreola a 40-yard field goal attempt that he nailed to put the Lobos within three at halftime.
>> RECORDS: Sul Ross State (3-3); Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-3)
>> WHAT THE COACH SAID:
"Special team miscues. Can't give a talented opponent free points. Our coaches will make sure our team prepares on edge in the special teams phase. Our defense had a great showing only allowing their offense 21 points while our offense had a good day on the ground rushing with Rodd and our freshman quarterback stepping up, having his first debut." —
Head coach Barry Derickson
>> GAME NOTES:
- Myles completed 14 of 26 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries.
- Rodd Hudson III had 22 carries for 95 yards. Hudson also reeled in three catches for 30 yards.
- Pena grabbed two receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown.
- Sul Ross State had 268 total yards of offense compared to UMHB's 298.
- Dayln Dunbar led the defense with six total tackles (four solo, two assists).
- Quincy Blair had five total tackles and one pass breakup.
- The Lobos tallied three sacks by Wright, Ken McLaurin and Aron Olague.
- Sul Ross State also had five tackles for loss and eight pass breakups.
>> UP NEXT: The Lobos return home to take on Hardin-Simmons University at 12 p.m. CST on Saturday, Oct. 21.
