Sul Ross notches first victory over ENMU since 1970

ALPINE, Texas – An 11-point lead through three quarters didn’t hold up for Eastern New Mexico University’s football team on Saturday.

First-year Lone Star Conference member Sul Ross State outscored the Greyhounds 16-0 in the final stanza, including freshman running back Carson Workman’s 21-yard TD run with 1:50 left, and the Lobos held on for a 33-28 victory over the Greyhounds, their first in the series since 1970.

Sul Ross (3-6, 2-5 LSC) leads the all-time series 14-11-1, but had lost eight in a row before Saturday. The Lobos also avenged a 36-17 non-league setback to the Hounds (3-6, 1-6) on Sept. 7.

“I was disappointed in our ability to finish drives,” ENMU coach Kelley Lee said. “To gain almost 500 yards on offense, but it only amounts to 21 points, is very disheartening.”

Tied 7-7 with two minutes left in the half, ENMU sophomore linebacker Samu Vave returned a fumble five yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Then freshman running back Azorion Sterling ran 50 yards for a score and a 21-14 advantage midway through the third.

After Sul Ross sophomore Carlos Arreola booted a 57-yard field goal, senior fullback Ron Craten extended ENMU’s lead to 28-17 with a 23-yard TD run late in the stanza, capping a 75-yard drive.

A 5-yard run by freshman running back Jordan Morales on the first play of the final stanza and a 47-yard field goal by Arreola with 8:42 left made it a one-point game. Then with just over four minutes left, the Lobos mounted a 7-play, 61-yard drive to take the lead on Workman’s TD.

Sul Ross sophomore Yamil Oaxaca got the game off to a flying start for the Lobos with a 99-yard touchdown return of the opening kickoff. But that was all the points Sul Ross managed the rest of the half, and the Hounds pulled even on sophomore running back Jarius Stewart’s 5-yard TD run late in the opening stanza, capping an 80-yard, 13-play march.

ENMU outgained the Lobos 484-399, including 376 yards on the ground, and possessed the ball for more than 36 minutes.

Craten finished with 178 yards rushing on 22 carries, while junior quarterback Mario Sanchez ran for 74 yards and completed 8-of-15 passes for 108 yards. Meantime, ENMU’s defense sacked Sul Ross quarterbacks Andrew Martinez and Tucker Bridwell five times.

On Saturday, the Hounds play their home finale against Texas-Permian Basin in a noon start at Steve Loy Stadium. They close the season on Nov. 16 at Texas A&M-Kingsville.