Football Recap (Week 7) - Around the SCAC

Football Recap (Week 7) - Around the SCAC

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Trinity University knocked off Southwestern University in the only conference game of the weekend while Texas Lutheran University and Austin College both picked up non-conference wins.

The game between Trinity and Southwestern was the first on the gridiron between the rivals since 1941.

 

 

 

AROUND THE SCAC 

The Austin College football team used a strong ground game to top Southwestern Assemblies of God University 27-17 on Saturday to improve to 2-5 overall this season. Both Bryce Murphy and James Nwankpah surpassed the 100 yard mark on the ground to lead the way, and Noah Jesko threw for 158 yards and a touchdown to lead the 'Roos to victory. After a slow start offensively for both teams, the 'Roos scored 14 points in a nine second with under a minute remaining before halftime to go into the break leading by two touchdowns. The first touchdown came on a one yard plunge from Nwankpah, and after SAGU fumbled the ensuing kickoff back to the 'Roos, Jesko found Kyle Crawford on the very next play for an 18 yard touchdown. SAGU got on the board with a field goal in the third, but Murphy scored from eight yards out, and after a blocked extra point it was 20-3. The Lions scored to make it 20-10, but Nwankpah found the endzone for the second time to push it to a 27-10 game before SAGU got on the board one more time with under two minutes remaining. Murphy carried 22 times for 122 yards and Nwankpah rushed 24 times for 102 yards, and Logan Estes has a big game in the secondary, making 10 tackles and breaking up five passes. This weekend is Homecoming at Austin College as the 'Roos host Hendrix.

Tate Taylor ran his way to becoming the first Southwestern University football player to eclipse 100-yards on the ground this season as the Pirates fell to Trinity University 30-0 in non-conference action at Birkelbach Field Saturday afternoon. Southwestern (0-7) got another outstanding defensive performance allowing only two offensive touchdowns while the offense worked to find its groove in the second half. Trinity (4-3) was able to take advantage of several favorable bounces including an 85-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, as Austin Lee raced to pay dirt just before the first half ended. The defensive touchdown pushed the Trinity lead to 24-0 with just eight second remaining before halftime. The Pirates were able to manage just over 20 yards on the ground in the first half; however the offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage opening holes for Taylor as he finished the afternoon with 126 yards on 23 carries. The 126-yards rushing were the most by a Pirate this season and the first in 63-years to cross the century mark. The Pirate defense was able to hold Trinity to a field goal on three trips into the red zone. A trio of Pirates finished with a game-high nine tackles as Zach Cole and Alex Lee each added a tackle for a loss, while Lee picked up one sack. Quinton Thompson joined the pair with nine tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss.

Texas Lutheran University remained unbeaten and improved to 5-0 with the road win at Sul Ross State. The Bulldogs are 5-0 for the first time since 1976. TLU now has won five straight on the road, with four wins on the road this year and one at the end of last season. Head Coach Danny Padron is over the .500 mark at TLU after Saturday's win. Padron is now 18-17 overall in this his fourth season with the team. The Bulldogs have assured themselves of a winning record in 2013. TLU is 5-0 with four games remaining on the schedule. TLU's last winning season was a 6-4 mark in the 2006 season, the Bulldogs' final season under Tom Mueller.

Trinity University snapped its two-game losing streak with a 30-0 win over first-year football program Southwestern University on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers recorded their first shutout since a 40-0 win over former SCAC rival Sewanee: University of the South. The defense allowed just 193 yards in the game, which was the lowest since giving up 195 to Millsaps in 2011. Trinity also scored a defensive touchdown for the second time this season, as defensive lineman Austin Lee scooped up a fumble, and went 85 yards just before halftime. The Tigers remain on the road this week, facing off against Case Western Reserve University. It will be the first-ever matchup between the two teams in football. 

To view the entire SCAC Gridiron Daily for week six, click here.
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