The 2021 Sul Ross Lobos football team represented Sul Ross State University during the 2021 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the American Southwest Conference (ASC). The Lobos were led by eighth-year head coach John Pearce and played their home hames at Jackson Field in Alpine, Texas. The team finished with a record of 2–7 to finish ninth in the ASC. The Lobos struggled on both sides of the ball throughout the season, with the offense getting shutout twice and the defense allowing 70+ points in two different games.

On November 30, just two weeks after the Lobos' season finale, Pearce announced that he would be resigning as the program's head coach. That same day it was announced that offensive coordinator Barry Derickson had been promoted to interim head coach.

Schedule

On October 9, the Lobos hosted an exhibition game against the for homecoming. The Lobos lost 37–44, though the game did not count in official standings.

Offseason Coaching changes On July 24, 2021, the university announced that offensive coordinator Kevin Canty died at the age of 37 due to complications from COVID-19. Valparaiso tight ends coach Barry Derickson was named the Lobos' new offensive coordinator.

Due to Canty's death and several positive COVID cases within the program, Sul Ross State announced that the football program would be suspending summer practices.

Preseason ASC media poll In the ASC preseason media poll, the Lobos were predicted to finish last out of ten teams in the conference.

Game summaries No. 7 Hardin–Simmons

Statistics HSUSRS First downs 29 9 Total yards 483 164 Rushing yards 187 46 Passing yards 296 118 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 31:44 28:16 Team Category Player StatisticsHardin–Simmons Passing Kyle Jones 30/44, 292 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Colton Marshall 13 rushes, 106 yards Receiving Cale Nanny 5 receptions, 67 yardsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 17/25, 106 yards Rushing Matthew DeLeon 10 rushes, 34 yards Receiving Vicente Luevano 6 receptions, 50 yards

At Austin

Statistics SRSAC First downs 12 23 Total yards 157 341 Rushing yards 83 167 Passing yards 74 174 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 25:00 35:00 Team Category Player StatisticsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 7/14, 58 yards Rushing Matthew DeLeon 16 rushes, 71 yards, TD Receiving Dre'Chan Moody 2 receptions, 43 yardsAustin Passing Tyler James 16/30, 174 yards, TD Rushing Makkedah Brown 13 rushes, 54 yards Receiving Xavier Maxwell 5 receptions, 72 yards

Texas Lutheran

Statistics TLUSRS First downs 15 20 Total yards 247 307 Rushing yards 165 85 Passing yards 82 222 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 27:16 32:44 Team Category Player StatisticsTexas Lutheran Passing Seth Cosme 7/10, 82 yards Rushing Jacob Forton 15 rushes, 99 yards, TD Receiving DaKory Willis 2 receptions, 39 yardsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 25/40, 222 yards, TD, INT Rushing Devon Mendoza 17 rushes, 79 yards Receiving Vicente Luevano 7 receptions, 60 yards

At Howard Payne

Statistics SRSHPU First downs 20 29 Total yards 326 559 Rushing yards 86 164 Passing yards 240 395 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 31:25 28:35 Team Category Player StatisticsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 26/38, 213 yards, 2 TD Rushing Kendrick Jefferson 13 rushes, 58 yards Receiving Vicente Luevano 13 receptions, 118 yards, TDHoward Payne Passing Landon McKinney 17/30, 335 yards, 6 TD, INT Rushing Tauren Bradley 12 rushes, 61 yards Receiving Otis Lanier 3 receptions, 98 yards, TD

At Belhaven

Statistics SRSBEL First downs 7 24 Total yards 114 446 Rushing yards 35 332 Passing yards 79 114 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 22:32 37:28 Team Category Player StatisticsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 9/14, 79 yards Rushing Ozias Wright 5 rushes, 32 yards Receiving Vicente Luevano 2 receptions, 36 yardsBelhaven Passing Mayowa Asagunla 9/13, 57 yards, TD Rushing Kolbe Blunt 10 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TD Receiving Ras Pace 2 receptions, 35 yards

No. 2 Mary Hardin–Baylor

Statistics MHBSRS First downs 26 7 Total yards 573 219 Rushing yards 208 42 Passing yards 365 177 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 20:58 39:02 Team Category Player StatisticsMary Hardin–Baylor Passing Ryan Redding 10/13, 201 yards, 3 TD Rushing Aphonso Thomas 14 rushes, 86 yards, TD Receiving Benton Martin 5 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TDSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 5/16, 173 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Ozias Wright 12 rushes, 20 yards Receiving Vicente Luevano 2 receptions, 85 yards, TD

At McMurry

Statistics SRSMCM First downs 23 21 Total yards 360 285 Rushing yards 174 133 Passing yards 186 152 Turnovers 3 3 Time of possession 34:00 22:10 Team Category Player StatisticsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 19/32, 186 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Ozias Wright 17 rushes, 89 yards Receiving Austin Remo 3 receptions, 44 yardsMcMurry Passing Dexter Wyble 12/22, 152 yards, 2 INT Rushing Kameron Session 17 rushes, 83 yards Receiving Zachary Wood 3 receptions, 64 yards

East Texas Baptist

Statistics ETBSRS First downs 22 13 Total yards 369 396 Rushing yards 212 86 Passing yards 157 310 Turnovers 2 4 Time of possession 34:04 25:56 Team Category Player StatisticsEast Texas Baptist Passing Alek Child 8/16, 152 yards Rushing Jaden Thomas 17 rushes, 120 yards, TD Receiving Tariq Gray 4 receptions, 69 yardsSul Ross Passing T. J. Deshields 11/30, 234 yards, TD, INT Rushing Ozias Wright 14 rushes, 88 yards, TD Receiving Vicente Luevano 6 receptions, 165 yards, TD

At Southwestern (TX)

Statistics SRSSW First downs 22 26 Total yards 444 441 Rushing yards 104 226 Passing yards 340 215 Turnovers 6 1 Time of possession 31:16 28:44 Team Category Player StatisticsSul Ross Passing Clayton Maxwell 28/43, 340 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Ozias Wright 13 rushes, 59 yards Receiving Vicente Luevano 8 receptions, 115 yards, TDSouthwestern Passing Landry Gilpin 18/25, 207 yards, 5 TD, INT Rushing Landry Gilpin 9 rushes, 89 yards, TD Receiving Eric Ovalle 5 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD

References