The Skyline Newspaper

Photo: Junior Ben Ahrens pumping up the crowd during the Lobos' thrilling triple overtime victory over Texas Lutheran University. Photo Justim Ruthstrom

Lobos Shine In National Spotlight

By Steve Lang
News and Publications

Austin Davidson set records on Mike Flynt's night.

Davidson, Hallsville, set a career record for touchdown passes, leading Sul Ross State University to a 45-42 triple-overtime win against visiting Texas Lutheran University Saturday, Oct. 13.

The 59-year-old Flynt made a storied return to the Lobo gridiron 37 years after he left. He blocked as Mike Van Wagner, Bandera, booted a 41-yard field goal to lift Sul Ross to its second straight overtime victory.

Over 2,300 fans, along with cameras and reporters from "NBC News," "Inside Edition," "The Los Angeles Times," Associated Press, "Fort Worth Star-Telegram," "Texas Monthly," local and regional media saw Flynt enter the game as a wingback on a point-after touchdown attempt four minutes into the game. In a fitting end to an eventful night, the grandfather who earlier starred at Sul Ross in 1969-1970 delivered another block as Van Wagner's kick spun over the leaping TLU defenders and cleared the crossbar.

In between, Davidson hooked up with freshman Jarrett Dickerson, Willis, on four scoring aerials, giving him 54 for his career. The fourth hook-up, a 32-yarder with 32 seconds left, cut the TLU lead to 35-33. TJ Barber, Midland, bolted into the end zone with the tying two-point conversion. The senior tailback extended his career rushing yardage record with a season-high 162 yards and added a touchdown run in the first overtime.

Freshman Dominique Jones, Marlin, picked off a pass to thwart TLU's scoring bid in the third overtime, while junior linebacker Fernie Acosta, El Paso Americas, led a spirited defensive effort with 15 tackles, three for losses. Sul Ross, 4-2, 2-2 in the American Southwest Conference, dominated passing and rushing statistics, 613-255, but were forced to weather a blocked punt and intercepted pass, both returned for touchdowns. In addition, the Lobos lost two fumbles and yielded a 57-yard punt return to Jesse Gremminger to set up another score.

"We played hard," said coach Steve Wright. "The last three and a half minutes of the game was probably the most impressive period of play in any time that I have been here."

The Lobos drove 65 yards in four snaps, aided by Barber's 29-yard scamper to gain the tying points. Sul Ross broke a 21-21 halftime tie with a 31-yard Davidson-to-Dickerson pass midway through the third quarter, but the extra point was missed. TLU, using Gremminger's long punt return, tallied the equalizer on Ralph Valdez' six-yard run and Holt Storrie's conversion gave the Bulldogs, 1-6, 1-4, a 28-27 edge with 9:20 left.

Robert Bonner's interception and 28-yard return for a score, followed by Storrie's conversion gave TLU a seemingly-comfortable eight-point edge with 3:41 left, but the Lobos stayed on the path.

"In the last 3:28 [after the ensuing kickoff], we were playing our best football when other kids could go in the tank," Wright said.

It carried to the overtime. TLU scored first as Frank Vera passed 23 yards to Jerry Clouse on a fake field goal try. Storrie converted for a 42-35 edge.

Sul Ross countered on Barber's four-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal and Van Wagner added the crucial extra point. On their next possession, the Lobos lost the ball on a fumble after a pass reception by Carlo Dominguez, Raymondville, at the TLU 9. The Bulldogs were thwarted for three downs, and on the fourth, a hard rush forced Storrie's 39-yard field goal try wide left.

Jones made a leaping, end-zone interception of Bryant Villa's second-down pass in the third OT and Sul Ross took their offensive turn. A holding penalty cost 10 yards, but Davidson and Barber regained five and seven on respective rushes. A delay of game call pushed the ball back to the 28 before Barber advanced four yards on third down. Van Wagner responded with his third game-winning kick of the year, setting off a joyous on-field celebration.

Barber and Cameron Holliness, Royce City, combined for 236 yards and two touchdowns at the tailback slot.
Holliness, who picked up 74 yards in nine trips, tallied on a 25-yard run for the Lobos' second touchdown.

Dickerson hauled in 10 passes for 205 yards and touchdown grabs of 36, 38, 31 and 32 yards. Dominguez rushed once for 20 yards and caught two passes for 87, including a huge 71-yard gainer in the fourth quarter. Homer Saenz, Mission, had two grabs for 22 yards and Barber two for 18. Davidson finished with 20 of 35 passes for 346 yards and one interception.

"Austin really showed his leadership and throws as good a deep ball as any quarterback in Texas. TJ, by his competitiveness and work habits, has really brought Cameron along."

Defensively, Acosta and senior Zach Gideon, Hallsville, helped limit the Bulldogs to 106 net yards rushing in 39 carries and 149 through the air. Gideon had two stops for losses and both he and Acosta recorded sacks.

"We had a consistent running game in TJ and Cameron, while Austin ran well enough on the option to keep the heat off," said Wright.

"Our offensive line played better, and they must, for we are getting ready for a team [McMurry] that brings heat.

"The defense is coming on, especially with Nate [Odessa Permian], and Zach [Graham], back. Our secondary is starting to play big boy football, but we have to improve our defensive line and inside linebacker play, especially against McMurry's mobile quarterback. We also will be moving some upperclassmen onto our punt team, as we need their experience."

Sul Ross travels to Abilene Saturday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., to face McMurry University, 2-5, 1-4. McMurry downed Howard Payne 34-24 for their first ASC win last week. Quarterback Rashon Lewis leads the attack.

Wright is looking toward the return of wide receiver Joc Quise Brown, Temple, who has missed two games with an injury.

"We hope to have Joc Quise in the lineup for 10 to 15 plays," he said.

Lobo Tracks...Sul Ross won last year's meeting with McMurry, 31-15...Davidson broke the record of 52 TD passes, set by Larry Hill...The senior has passed for 17 touchdowns and 1,548 yards this season, 6,917 for his career, well in reach of Scott Kello's 7,400...Barber has rushed for 639 yards on the season, an even 3,600 as he adds to his career record...His 36 career touchdowns are another Lobo standard...Dickerson has caught 27 passes for 491 yards and seven touchdowns, while Brown has 24 grabs for 459 and six scores...Saenz; Jamal Groover, Cleburne; Holliness; Dominguez and Sean Collins, Houston Alief Hastings, each have one TD grab...Dominguez is averaging 40.1 yards on 30 punts, while Van Wagner has made six of 11 field goals and 21 of 24 extra points...Jones has three interceptions and Jamal Johnson, Odessa Permian, two...Acosta's 47 tackles lead the team, followed by Graham (39); Johnnie Williams, Hempstead, 35; and Jarrett Ballew, Andrews, 34.