D-II Tarleton State upends Stephen F Austin 37-26

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (AP) — Ben Holmes passed for 372 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score to propel Division II member Tarleton State to a 37-26 victory over Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night.

Holmes’ 63-yard scoring strike to J.F. Thomas with 24 seconds left before halftime gave the Texans a 21-20 lead. In the third quarter, a Storm Ruiz field goal — from 29 yards out — gave the Lumberjacks (0-2) a 23-21 lead. But Holmes capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive with a 5-yard TD run to put Tarleton State back on top. Ruiz’s fourth field goal of the day pulled Stephen F. Austin within 27-26, but it was all Texans in the final quarter.

Holmes took just three plays to lead Tarleton State to the end zone. He hit Zimari Manning for a 36-yard gain and two plays later he connected with Thomas for a 37-yard scoring strike and a 34-26 advantage. Christian Hernandez hit a 27-yard field goal with 5:40 left to play to complete the scoring.

The Texans piled up 667 yards of offense. Daniel McCants rushed for 179 yards on 11 carries, including TD runs of 48 and 99 yards. Stephen F. Austin finished with 414 yards, including 201 on the ground. Da’Leon Ward finished with 149 yards on 28 carries.