ALPINE, TX -- Texas Lutheran football came up just short, falling 12-10 to Sul Ross State Saturday afternoon at Jackson Field in Alpine, Texas.
After trailing through 3 quarters, Texas Lutheran scored early in the fourth quarter via a 23-yard rush from Jacob Forton. The Bulldogs would immediately get the ball back after an interception from freshman safety Trent Ward (West Columbia/West Columbia) - his first collegiate interception. A Juan Ocampo (Lockhart/Lockhart) field goal the ensuing possession gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the afternoon with just over 5 minutes remaining in the ball game. Sul Ross State would answer by driving down the field and scoring a touchdown via a pass from Akron transfer quarterback TJ Deshields to Isaiah Villarreal with 4 seconds remaining. The Lobos would recover the following kick off to put the Bulldogs away.
Jacob Forton (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) ran for 99 yards and for the lone touchdown in the fourth quarter for Texas Lutheran (1-3, 1-2 ASC) and caught 2 passes for 18 yards. Forton's rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter was his fourth of the season. Forton has scored in three out of four of the Bulldogs games this season - leading the team in rushing touchdowns.
DaKory Willis (Flatonia/Flatonia) caught two passes for 39 yards and rushed for 47 yards on 10 carries.
Seth Cosme (Angleton/Angleton) was 7 for 10 for 82 yards and rushed for 19 yards on 18 attempts, losing one fumble.
Freshman Nelson Coleman (San Marcos/San Marcos) & sophomore Markel Turner (San Antonio/Taft) led the Bulldogs defense with both players garnering 7 tackles and one sack. Turner had 6 solo tackles while Coleman had one. Anthony Jackson (Angleton/Angleton) had 6 tackles - 5 solo - and one pass breakup.
Texas Lutheran will return home on Saturday, celebrating Friends & Family Weekend (Homecoming) with a night game vs. Belhaven. Kickoff is set for 6 PM at Bulldog Stadium.
