Bulldogs Fall to Howard Payne in High Scoring Opener

SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran running back Jacob Forton (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) matched a career-high three touchdowns on 88 yards rushing on 22 carries and quarterback Seth Cosme (Angleton/Angleton) threw for a career-high 236 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs came up short in the 2022 season opener, 59-45, to Howard Payne at Bulldog Stadium in head coach Neal LaHue's debut as Texas Lutheran head football coach.

The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead following an explosive 79-yard touchdown on their opening drive and a 77-yard punt return touchdown following a TLU three and out. After 21 unanswered Howard Payne points to start the game, Texas Lutheran found the end zone for the first time this season on a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Jacob Forton. The first quarter belonged to the Yellow Jackets as they piled 167 yards on 18 plays in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs settled down after the first quarter going back and forth with Howard Payne on the scoreboard and staying within striking distance throughout. TLU quarterback Seth Cosme led two scoring drives in the second quarter finishing with a field goal from Joaquin Rodriguez (San Antonio/Smithson Valley) and a three-yard receiving touchdown by Cayleb Klostermann (Lyford/Lyford) - the first of his career.

Jacob Forton would find the end zone twice in the third quarter to keep pace with Yellow Jackets as the Bulldogs trailed 52-31 entering the fourth.

The Bulldogs would outscore Howard Payne 14-7 in the fourth with Cosme and freshman running back Weston Guzman (McAllen/McAllen) finding the end zone with rushing touchdowns.

Seth Cosme was 22-35 for 236 yards adding an additional 28 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Trent Stefka (Caldwell/Caldwell) led the Bulldogs with 62 yards receiving.

Defensively, five Bulldogs (Caleb Giles (Houston/Lamar), Michael Puente (San Antonio/Brackenridge), Markel Turner (San Antonio/Taft), David Augustin (Missouri City/Willowridge), and Joshua Stanton(Houston/Lamar)) finished with four tackles. Stanton and Augustin each registered sacks on the afternoon. Eugene Robinson IV (Lake Charles, LA/Ft. Bend Hightower) tallied three pass break-ups.