Last week on the road, the Sul Ross State football team proved it can compete with an NCAA Division II opponent.
Now, the Lobos will get an opportunity with another future Lone Star Conference foe as Eastern New Mexico University comes to Alpine, Texas for the home opener.
>> SERIES HISTORY:
The first meeting between Sul Ross State and ENMU took place in 1946.
Sul Ross State won the first five meetings from 1946-1950 until the series was rekindled in 1958.
During the next 11 meetings from 1958-1968, the Lobos went 8-3 against the Greyhounds.
Both teams met twice more from 1970-1971.
ENMU then began to take control of the series as it won four straight meetings against the Lobos from 1973-1976.
The Lobos took on ENMU in 1978 before the series went on a 34-year hiatus until it was renewed in 2012.
Sul Ross State and ENMU last played on Sept. 13, 2013 in front of a crowd of 8,194 fans at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Greyhounds won the last meeting, 55-24.
Despite ENMU having won the last seven meetings, Sul Ross State leads the all-time series 14-10-1.
Sul Ross State is seeking its first win over ENMU since 1970 when the Lobos put together a 35-13 victory.
>> THE GREYHOUNDS:
ENMU came away with a 28-26 win over New Mexico Highlands University in Week 1 over in Portales, N.M. at Greyhound Stadium.
Quarterback Mario Sanchez led the offense by scoring three rushing touchdowns as he finished with 11 carries for 77 yards.
Through the air, Sanchez went 4 for 5 for 60 yards.
All four of ENMU's touchdowns came on the ground as it tallied 251 rushing yards.
The Greyhound defense held New Mexico Highlands to 66 passing yards and 142 rushing yards. The defense also forced two fumbles while tallying one sack and an interception.
Defensive back Eric Williams was recognized as the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week after he had 12 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.
Last season, the Greyhounds finished 3-8 overall and 2-7 in the Lone Star Conference. They notched wins over New Mexico Highlands, Simon Fraser and West Texas A&M.
The ENMU offense ranked ninth in the conference after it amassed 3,511 yards.
>> THE LOBOS:
Quarterback
Andrew Martinez shined in the season opener at Western New Mexico University.
Martinez threw four touchdowns while compiling 332 passing yards. He was also responsible for 372 total yards of offense.
The El Paso native became the first Sul Ross State quarterback to throw three or more touchdowns in a season opener since James Davis threw three touchdowns during a 47-22 win over the University of Texas-Permian Basin on Sept. 17, 2017.
Receiver
Ahmonte Kendrick caught his first career touchdown in Week 1. Kendrick raced into the end zone after catching a 21-yard pass during the third quarter.
Receiver
Vicente Luevano now has 18 career touchdowns with the Lobos. Luevano reeled in a 15-yard pass during the second quarter last week.
Linebacker
Jade Rios now has 157 career tackles. Last week, Rios had 12 total tackles to lead the defense.
Sul Ross State is trying to win its second-straight home opener. In 2022, the Lobos routed Austin College, 55-14, on Sept. 17.
>> TEXAS VS. NEW MEXICO:
The Lobos are now 38-33-1 versus schools from the state of New Mexico.
It's been 36 years since Sul Ross State defeated a school from New Mexico. The Lobos defeated Western New Mexico, 14-0, in 1987.
>> TICKET INFO:
General admission is $8 while admission for non-Sul Ross State students and seniors 60 and over is $5.
All Sul Ross State students, staff and faculty get in free with a valid school ID.
Children under four get in free.
No food or outside drinks will be allowed into Jackson Field. There will be a concession stand.
Tickets must be purchased online through this link:
https://srlobos.com/sports/2021/8/27/hometown-tickets-page.aspx
>> TAILGATE INFO:
Tailgating takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the south end of the Jackson Field parking lot.
President Dr. Carlos Hernandez along with the rest of the Lobo family will be on hand for burgers and hot dogs.
Don't forget to bring a lawn chair and a cold drink.
>> STUDENT SPIRIT:
The Black Student Association wants to bring spirit days back during football season. The theme days are listed below:
- Camo (Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. ENMU)
- Hawaiian (Saturday, Sept. 16 vs. Wayland Baptist)
- Neon (Saturday, Sept. 30 vs. Texas Lutheran)
- Think Pink (Saturday, Oct. 21 vs. Hardin-Simmons)
- Spirit Day (Saturday, Nov. 4 vs. Howard Payne)
>> SCORES FROM AROUND THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE:
>> THURSDAY, AUG. 31:
- Birmingham-Southern 20, McMurry 19
- Louisiana Christian 34, East Texas Baptist 14
>> FRIDAY, SEPT. 1:
- Hardin-Simmons 47, Albright 3
>> SATURDAY, SEPT 2:
- UW-OshKosh 48, Texas Lutheran 31
- UW-River Falls 45, Mary Hardin-Baylor 22
- Howard Payne 17, George Fox 3
- Nebraska Wesleyan 19, Austin College 7
GAME INFO
>> WHO: Eastern New Mexico University (1-0) vs. Sul Ross State (0-1)
>> WHEN: 12 p.m. CST (Saturday, Sept. 9)
>> WHERE: Jackson Field | Alpine, Texas | 204 S Cockrell St.
>> LIVE STATS: https://srlobos.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
>> LIVESTREAM: https://boxcast.tv/view/lobo-football-vs-eastern-new-mexico-zm13ue37s0uwhdnkkgzx?_gl=1*1r6s1*_ga*MzgxODIzOTkwLjE2NjExOTk2Nzc.*_ga_PXBBF7HVWQ*MTY5MDgyNjI2OS4yNzAuMS4xNjkwODI4Mzc2LjAuMC4w
>> RADIO: (SRSU feed) KVLF 98.7 FM (
bigbendradio.com)
