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Following a bye week the Sul Ross State University football team is back in action this Saturday as the Lobos (1-2) take on No. 12 (D3football.com) Hardin-Simmons University (3-0) in a 2:00 p.m. kickoff at Shelton Stadium. The two teams will kickoff for the 39th time in their series history on the grid iron.

Saturday's contest represents the conference opener for both teams and can be heard live on KVLF AM 1240 with internet audio provided at bigbendradio.com. Live stats and audio will be provided at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hsu/ and http://www.hsuathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/2016-17/boxscores/20161001_ys2l.xml.

QUICK HITS AND RECAP
 

• The Lobos were off last weekend after dropping a 30-27 overtime loss to Arizona Christian University on September 17 in Sully's home opener.
• Junior quarterback James Davis (Houston/South) passed for 241 yards off of 22 completions and a pair of scoring strikes.
• Davis also ran for 49 yards off of 10 attempts including a touchdown.
• Jeremy Reed (Grandview, MO/GHS) led receivers led receivers with four receptions for 65 yards and two touchdown catches.
• Zack Roberson (Houston/Cypress Ridge) led defenders with 19 tackles (seven assisted) including a sack.
• Kicker Adam Cruz was perfect on extra points for the second week in a row. Cruz converted all three PAT's and nailed a pair of field goals including a time expiring 42-yarder to end the first half and a 36-yard field goal in overtime.
• As a team, the Firestorm outpaced the Lobos in total yardage, 466-351.
• Sul Ross was 2-2 on the evening in fourth down conversions. 

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS (from HSU sports info.)
 

• The 12^th-ranked Cowboys defeated Texas Lutheran 48-38 in front of a rowdy crowd Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium.
• Jaquan Hemphill finished the day with 151 yards on the ground in his first collegiate start. HSU had 223 yards rushing.
• Ryan Breton completed 17-of-29 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns.
• Reese Childress had nine catches for 153 yards and three more scores.
• The Cowboys rank third in the conference in total offense 1571 yards after three games.
• HSU has the second-rated pass offense in the league completing 64 of 111 passes for 1039 and nine touchdowns.
• Hardin-Simmons leads the ASC in sacks with 11 for a total loss of 62 yards against opposing offenses.
• The Cowboys are second in the conference in fourth down conversions at four for nine.
• Childress is the leading offensive scorer in the league with seven touchdowns.
• Childress also leads the ASC in receiving yards at 22 receptions for 461 yards.
• Childress is the leading all purpose yard producer in the conference with 514 yards.
• Defensively Josh White and Cory Ward rank second and third in tackles with 36 and 29 respectively.
• Ward leads the ASC in tackles for yards lost at -26.

SERIES HISTORY

Hardin-Simmons leads the all-time series with the Lobos, 35-3, dating back to 1928 when the Cowboys defeated Sul Ross, 27-7.

LAST MEETING (Oct. 15, 2015/HSU-41, SRSU-13)

• Hardin-Simmons surged to a 21-0 point lead in the first quarter as the undefeated Cowboys opened American Southwest Conference play with a 41-13 bruising of Sul Ross last season.
• HSU outpaced the Lobos by fifty yards in total offense, in a 487-437 margin.
• Individually for SRSU's James Davis completed 14 of 19 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
• Alonte Thomas and Damian Espinoza paced the Lobo defense with eight tackles each. 

SRSU TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL NOTES
 

• The Lobos rank fourth in the conference in pass defense efficiency.
• Sul Ross is fourth in the league in kickoff returns with seven returns for 152 yards.
• Sully is also fourth in in fourth down conversions at 3-9.
• Cruz is one of three kickers in the ASC in perfect field goal made at 2-2.
• Cruz is also one of three kickers in the conference with perfect extra points at 9-9.
• Davis ranks sixth out of the ASC's top ten in passing completing 57 of 96 for 6-7 yards and four touchdowns.
• Davis also ranks sixth out of the top ten in total offensive yards at 774.
• Roberson ranks fourth in the league in tackles with 47 (nine assists) with a pair of sacks.
• Roberson ranks second in the conference in tackles for loss at -24.
• Job Mason (Thorndale/THS) leads the conference in passes defended with six breakups.
• Mason ranks second in the ASC in forced fumbles with two.
• Alonte Thomas (Cameron/C.H. Yoe) ranks second in the league with two recovered fumbles. 

ASC RECAP (Week 4)

Hardin-Simmons and McMurry were the only ASC teams in action last weekend.

No. 12 Hardin-Simmons 48, Texas Lutheran 38

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons beat Texas Lutheran (48-38) in front of a rowdy crowd Saturday afternoon at Shelton Stadium. Senior quarterback Ryan Breton completed 17-of-29 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns.

McMurry 0, Langston 16 - No Contest

ABILENE, Texas - McMurry and Langston endured a two hour and 18 minute lightning delay midway through the second quarter, before the two teams received a "no contest."  With 7:45 left to play in the second quarter and the Lions ahead of the War Hawks, 16-0, the first lightning was detected and never subsided before the game was called off.
 
QUOTES FROM COACH JOHN PEARCE
 

• On preparation during the bye week: We took last Sunday and Monday off for a breather and focused on academics and study hall. Tuesday and Thursday we were in the weight room with a full practice Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We held meetings Sunday and did a walk through in the gym because of the weather. Now we're back to regular game week mode
• Thoughts on some of the challenges of an off week: For us it's our location. We're trying to keep the guys in Alpine and focused. We've cut back on some of the practices last week to get some folks healthy. But, again, it's mainly location. We're not centrally located. Most places the players can go home after a Saturday practice where our guys have to travel eight or nine hours.
• On the game against Arizona Christian: Just a toe-to-toe, heavy weight fight like we knew it was going to be. It was a good, exciting game for our players and our fans. Defensively we didn't tackle very well compared to a week earlier at Wayland. We had two big field goals from Adam. Unfortunately it came down to one play and they were able to punch it in.
• Thoughts on Adam Cruz: Adam has been starting as our kicker and has just done a phenomenal job which has also served a real boost for our special teams. He's batting .1000 in extra points and field goals whereas in the past two seasons that kind of consistency was lacking.
• On special teams play against ACU: Kickoff coverage was a lot better than our first two games. Our punt game continues to improve. Stephen (Slater) continues to be consistent booting the ball down field and giving our defense a chance to work.
• Thoughts on pressuring the ACU offense: We're still not where I'd like to be. Again, overall we just didn't tackle well. There were a few series where we played lights out and others where we were just going through the motions. That's one of our defensive goals this week is to be more consistent in the intensity with every series.
• On moving the ball against ACU: I was very pleased on how well we controlled the ball and were able to get it up field all four quarters of regulation. I think James probably has his best game this season in that game. His poise was really there which really helps when we run. He got banged up toward the end but nothing serious. He didn't take a lot of reps during the off week just to get healed up. I think he'll be ready to go this weekend in Abilene.
• Thoughts and keys on Hardin-Simmons and their physicality: We just need to stick to our game plan. Tackle technique really needs to better against a team like this. They have explosive players on both sides of the ball. Last year I thought they were the best team in the ASC hands down. They had a lot of players graduate on their offensive and defensive fronts but they're scoring a lot of points.
• On HSU's pass offense: Again, they have some explosive players especially at their wide outs. They had some big plays on film and they'll make you pay every on a blown coverage. So our backs are going to be challenged this week but we've face some good receivers this year especially in the Arizona Christian game. ACU had a transfer from Southern Miss and U.T.P.B. had some great receivers so our backfield should be conditioned and able to step up to the task.
• On winding up the bye week: We had a live practice Friday and were able to get about 40 to 50 plays in. So the practices we did have last week were all physical. One of the positives of a bye week is that it allows you to look at and change up some of your practice format whether it's dealing with speed, strength or agility.