MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Texas Lutheran football team has been tabbed No. 21 in the D3Football.com preseason rankings released Tuesday.
The Bulldogs ended the 2015 season ranked No. 18 in the nation, while ending their season with an 8-2 overall record and going 3-0 in SCAC action, earning their third consecutive league championship, led by the 2015 Coach of the Year Danny Padron.
Texas Lutheran receiver Jekovan Holmes picked up Newcomer of the Year honors, while quarterback Trenton White was named the Offensive Player of the Year.
Texas Lutheran’s only losses last season came to No. 5 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and No. 10 Hardin-Simmons University.
In 2015, the Bulldogs ranked 22nd in the nation in total offense, averaging 480.8 yards per game. On the defensive end, the team allowed 327.8 yard per game, which ranked second in the conference behind Trinity University (279.5). The Bulldogs put up an average of 40.9 points per game, while holding opponents to just 22.3.
For 2016, the Bulldogs welcome back 57 lettermen and 12 starters. TLU will have six returners on offense, four on defense, and two on special teams.
The Bulldogs will begin their season against East Texas Baptist University at home on September 3. Their schedule will feature match-ups against two teams currently ranked in the D3football.com poll during the month of September.