ALPINE, Texas – Howard Payne was held scoreless in the second half as the Yellow Jackets fall to Sul Ross State University 58-17 Saturday afternoon in conference football action.
An hour and a half lightning delay to not slow down the Sul Ross State offense, as the Lobos outscored the Jackets 34-0 in the second half. After leading early in the game 14-3, HPU gave up three TDs to fall behind 24-17 at the half.
After Josh Eppler recovered a Sul Ross State fumble, the Yellow Jackets would score on a 2-yard run by Zarron Dove just three minutes into the first quarter. Sul Ross answered with a 37 yard field goal on their next drive but the Jackets put together an eleven play 69 yard drive that ended in a Thomas Head one-yard TD run. 14-3 HPU with 3:12 left in the first.
Sul Ross then scored three consecutive TDs to make the score 24-14 SRSU with 44 seconds left in the first half.
A good kickoff return by the Jackets and a personal foul by Sul Ross gave HPU an opportunity to score before the half. Josh Martinez would hit a 45 yard field goal, the longest of his career, to finish out the first half. Sul Ross led 24-17 at the half.
Both teams committed turnovers to start the third quarter but then Sul Ross was able to find the endzone with 5:01 left in the third to go up 31-17.
Sul Ross added another TD before lightning delays slowed down the game. It did not slow down the SRSU offense as the Lobos added three addition TDs to round out their 34 point second half.
Thomas Head was the leading rusher for the Jackets with 71 yards on 16 carries. Head was 9 of 22 passing for 45 yards.
Victor Gonzales led the HPU defense with nine tackles followed by JD King with nine. Josh Eppler had three punts for a 49.0 yard average. Eppler also had six tackles playing free safety.
Howard Payne is now 1-8 overall and 1-5 in conference. Sul Ross State stands at 4-5 overall and 3-3 in the ASC.
The Jackets will finish out the regular season next Saturday at home versus Texas Lutheran University at 2:00 pm. The Howard Payne senior football players will be recognized before the game.
