Box Score ALPINE, Texas – Wayland Baptist University Football opened the 2026 season with a statement victory Saturday, defeating NCAA Division II opponent Sul Ross State 34-20 at Jackson Field to begin the year 1-0.
The win carried significance for the Pioneers, who fell to the Lobos in a 52-51 overtime thriller two seasons ago. Wayland entered the 2026 season looking to turn the page on that narrow defeat and accomplished its goal with a complete team effort against its Division II opponent.
"This was a team win against an NCAA D2 team that two years ago beat us in five quarters," Wayland Head Coach Marcos Hinojos said. "So for our staff and our older players, this has been on our to-do list for a while. For Coach Escobar and players that transferred from Sul Ross, this was also personal."
The Pioneers trailed 6-0 midway through the second quarter before taking their first lead of the season on a 10-yard touchdown run by Malik White with 5:08 remaining in the first half. White finished the afternoon with a team-high 59 rushing yards on nine carries and a touchdown.
Wayland took control in the third quarter, scoring twice to turn a 7-6 halftime advantage into a 21-6 lead. The first score came when Jaxson Percoats returned a blocked Sul Ross punt 34 yards for a touchdown. Less than three minutes later, quarterback Kye Callicoatte added a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
The Pioneers continued to extend their advantage in the fourth quarter. Callicoatte connected with Omarion Dumas for a 51-yard touchdown early in the quarter before finding Reggie Hurley for a 37-yard touchdown with 5:30 remaining. Dumas finished with 76 all-purpose yards, including 51 receiving yards and 25 rushing yards, while Hurley added 59 all-purpose yards.
Callicoatte completed 10 of 16 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 25 yards and a touchdown. As a team, Wayland finished with 295 total yards, including 138 rushing yards and 157 passing yards. The Pioneers averaged 4.9 yards per offensive play and finished with 60 offensive plays.
Defensively, Wayland held Sul Ross State to 83 net rushing yards and recorded two sacks and seven tackles for loss. Brennen Davis led the Pioneers with 12 total tackles, while Daniel Mendietta recorded eight and Brayden Hamby added seven. Ti'Vrell Hollings and Kaleb Brooks each recorded a sack.
The Pioneers also came through in the kicking and special-teams game. Wayland's Jaxson Percoats' blocked-punt return for a touchdown provided a major momentum swing in the third quarter, while the defense intercepted Sul Ross State twice. Wayland finished with three punt returns for 56 yards, including the touchdown, and one interception return by Chamrion Bush.
Hinojos credited the Pioneers' ability to respond to adversity throughout the week and during the game, while pointing to contributions from all three phases as key moments in the victory.
"More importantly, we managed to grow during the game," Hinojos said. "We overcame so much adversity throughout the week. I'm proud to be 1-0, and I am very grateful for the staff we have and the players that played a great game. All three phases of the game came through in crucial moments of the game."
Wayland's victory came despite Sul Ross State finishing with 355 total yards and controlling the ball for 29:39. The Pioneers answered by converting 6-of-15 third-down opportunities and limiting the Lobos to 6-of-18 on third down.
The win gives Wayland an early boost to begin the 2026 campaign as the Pioneers now turn their attention toward their home opener.
"We will celebrate it and put it behind us as we prepare for our first home game against a top conference opponent in Ottawa," Hinojos said.
Wayland Baptist will return to action in its first home game of the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Pioneers host Ottawa University at 7 p.m.
