ALPINE, Texas – Eastern New Mexico football fell to Sul Ross State 33-28 Saturday afternoon.

"I was disappointed in our ability to finish drives," said head coach Kelley Lee after the game. "To gain almost 500 yards off offense, but it only amounts to 21 points is very disheartening."

The Greyhounds outgained the Lobos 484-399 offensively in the matchup. Eastern New Mexico struggled in fourth down opportunities going 2-for-6 in that department. All three of ENMU's drives in the fourth quarter ended via a missed field goal or a turnover on downs.

The matchup started strong for Sul Ross State as they took the opening kick for a touchdown. ENMU took its opening drive into SRSU territory but was stopped on downs at the 46-yard line. On the Hounds second drive of the game, they tied the game at 7-7 with a 13-play sequence. All 13 plays came via the rush.

ENMU played one of its better games defensively in the first half forcing two crucial turnovers during the second quarter and not allowing an offensive score. One was an interception while SRSU was driving to score and the other was a fumble recovery for a score to put the Hounds up 14-17.

Sul Ross State stopped Eastern's opening drive forcing a punt. From there, it did not take long for the Lobos to find the endzone for the first time via an offensive play. A hole opened up for Jordan Morales who sprinted his way to an 85-yard score and tied the game.

Eastern did not let the game stay tied for long as they scored on the ensuing drive. A seven-play drive ended with a 50-yard score from Azorion Sterling. It was Sterling's third touchdown of the season.

SRSU cut into the lead, 21-17, with a 57-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. Eastern responded with a nine-play touchdown scoring sequence culminating with a 23-yard rush by Ron Craten. Craten continued his remarkable season at fullback with 178 yards on 22 total carries. He is 51 yards away from eclipsing the 1000 mark in 2024.

ENMU had an opportunity to stop SRSU from decreasing the 28-17 advantage, but a defensive pass interference penalty late in the third quarter led up to a touchdown for the Lobos as the fourth quarter began.

All the Greyhounds needed to do was battle the remainder for the fourth quarter with a 28-24 lead. They got off to a strong start with a 44-yard carry from Ron Craten, but the Lobos defense stymied additional opportunities and forced ENMU to miss a 43-yard field goal.

SRSU quickly went seven plays and successfully made a 47-yard field goal to get the game within one point.

ENMU got the ball with just under nine minutes left. They spent the next 4 ½ minutes running the clock, but SRSU once again got a stop on fourth down. The home side proceeded to go seven plays for the go-ahead score. The most crucial of those plays came on 4th and 2 with Sul Ross State at their own 42-yard line. A gap opened on the play and a 37-yard rush got them the first down with ease.

After the two-minute timeout, SRSU took the lead on the very next play. A 21-yard dash into the endzone gave the Lobos their first lead since the first quarter.

ENMU had 1:44 to find the endzone. They managed to gain a single first down but were stopped on 4th and 8 to close out the contest.

SRSU beat ENMU for the first time since 1970.

The Greyhounds will now prepare for the final home game of the season. They host UT Permian Basin next Saturday at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium for a 12 p.m. kick.