Lobos Run Over Trinity with 62-35 Win
Although these two teams had not met since 1981, in which the Lobos scored two victories over Trinity that season, there was speculation as to what the final result would be since Sul Ross was 0-2 after losing two close games to Division II opponents and Trinity had was 2-0 after wins over Howard Payne and Texas Lutheran.
In the first quarter, both defenses contained their rival's highly poignant offense as each team would score just once. The Lobos struck first and marched 75 yards on 10 plays with Springer finding Xaiver Jefferson in the endzone for a 7-yard score with 11:25 on the clock. Exactly five minutes later, Trinity scored to tie the game 7-7 with 6:25 to play.
In the second quarter, both offenses showed their dominance. The Tigers would take a 14-7 lead in the opening seconds of the second quarter after capping of a 12-play, 81-yard drive with 14:56 left in the half. Sul Ross answered on the following drive when a 4-yard run by Dominique Carson tied the game 14-14 with 13:02 remaining. Trinity then scored on their next posession to move ahead 21-14 with 13:02 to play in the half. The Lobos would answer again on the first play of their next drive when Springer connected with Carson for a 73-yard score to tie the game 21-21 with 9:31 on the clock. After Sul Ross's defense forced a three-and -out, Alex Lovan scored on a 4-yard run that sealed a 72-yard drive and allowed the Lobos to take 28-21 lead with 5:56 left to play in the half. The Lobos' defense would shine again, forcing Trinity to punt after just four plays. Sul Ross then added to their lead when Edward Mendez hit a 31-yard field goal moving the Lobos up 31-21 as the half ended.
The third quarted had not gone Sul Ross's way the past two games but the Lobos made sure this time would be different. Sul Ross continued where they left off in the first half scoring three touchdowns and allowing only one Tigers score to open up the game with a 52-28 lead. After a forced fumble by Kyle Alexander and fumble recovery by Casey Sonier ended Trinity's first drive of the half, Springer found Cordrick Mobley for a 36-yard score with 8:46 left in the third.The Tigers then turned the ball over again on the first play of their following drive when Job Mason snatched an interception. Sul Ross would not let up and scored again when Springer connected with Jerome Fellows for a 6-yard strike with 7:05 to play in the quarter. Trinity then found some momentum and scored cut the margin to 45-21 with 4:37 remaining. Springer would find Mobley again for 64-yard score with 3:11 on the clock.
After forcing another Trinity punt, Sul Ross would start with 1:16 left in the third quarter. They then drove 77 yards on 14 plays to increase the margin to 55-28 after a Mendez 24-yard field goal with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter. Trinity answered with a score on their next drive to trail 55-35 with 8:25 remaining. Both teams would then be stalled on their drives. The Lobos then added one more when Springer found Carson again for a15-yard score that put Sul Ross ahead 62-35 with 4:00 left in the game. Johnny Fowler-Stewart would get an interception to halt the Tigers on their following drive. After forcing Sul Ross to punt, the Tigers had one last chance but time would expire before the Tigers saw the endzone.
A.J. Springer finished the game going 32 of 41for 481 yards and 6 touchdowns. Carson led the Lobos' running attack with 128 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Three receivers had over 100 yards. Cordrick Mobley had 7 receptions for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Dominique Carson had 5 receptions for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Calvon Henderson had 7 receptions for 102 yards. Xaiver Jefferson had 8 receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Johnny Fowler-Stewart led the team with 13 tackles while also recording a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Kyle Alexander had 11 tackles and a forced fumble, while Casey Sonier had 10 tackles with 4 tackles for a loss of 23 yards, a fumble recovery, and 2 sacks for 11 yards.
The Lobos are now 1-2 on the season and will host University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in their ASC opener on September 29th at 1pm at Jackson Field.
