CROWLEY — Texas Wesleyan University (5-3, 5-0 SAC) staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Langston University (2-6, 2-4 SAC) 44-36 in a high-octane NAIA football game Saturday at Crowley ISD Stadium, overcoming an early 16-0 deficit to improve.. Langston dominated the first quarter, with Aden Hooper's 69-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Wroblewski and a 22-yard field goal by Octavio Resendiz building a 16-0 lead. Texas Wesleyan's Cole Francis answered with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Paul Summers, closing the gap to 16-7.

In the second quarter, Langston extended their lead to 23-7 with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hooper to DaMariyea Hamilton. The Rams responded with a 75-yard drive, capped by Tony Roberson's 36-yard touchdown run, though a missed extra point left them trailing 23-13 at halftime. A late 56-yard field goal attempt by Max Luna fell short.

The third quarter was Texas Wesleyan's turning point. A 43-yard kickoff return by Sean Smith set up a 56-yard drive, with Francis hitting TJ Curtis for a 7-yard touchdown, narrowing the score to 23-20. After forcing a Langston fumble, Freddy Joya's 20-yard field goal tied the game. Roberson's second 36-yard touchdown run gave the Rams a 30-23 lead, as their defense stifled Langston with a three-and-out.

In the fourth, Texas Wesleyan pulled away. Roberson's 1-yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 37-23. Despite two missed field goals by Joya (53 and 24 yards), the Rams' defense forced punts. Langston rallied with an 80-yard drive, scoring on Wroblewski's 11-yard touchdown catch, making it 37-30. Texas Wesleyan sealed the win with Ashton Mitchell's 74-yard touchdown run, leading 44-30 with 1:45 left. Langston's late 71-yard drive ended with Wroblewski's 24-yard touchdown, but a blocked extra point by Zeno Marcheselli ensured the Rams' victory.

Francis threw for 323 yards and two touchdowns, while Roberson rushed for 119 yards and three scores. Sean Smith added 107 receiving yards. For Langston, Hooper threw for 467 yards and five touchdowns, with Wroblewski catching 208 yards and four scores. Texas Wesleyan's defense, aided by penalties like a targeting ejection against Langston's Jacobi Johnson, proved pivotal.

The Rams return to action on the road  Saturday against Oklahoma Panhandle State University with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.