LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Trinity University began right where it left off at the end of the regular season last year as the Tigers rolled to a 56-7 season opening win over Howard Payne. Meanwhile, Austin College jumped out to a 16-3 lead over Texas Lutheran but could not hold off the Bulldogs as the Kangaroos fell 38-16.
AROUND THE SCAC
Austin College jumped out to a 16-3 lead in the second half, but 35 straight points including 28 in the second half for Texas Lutheran University led to a 38-16 defeat for the ’Roos at Jerry Apple Stadium on Sept. 1. The ’Roos are now 0-1 on the year. The AC defense put the ’Roos on the board early when Nathan Packard picked off a pass and raced 68 yards for the touchdown with 12:18 minutes to play in the first quarter. TLU responded with a 27 yard field goal from Allen Cain four minutes later, but the ’Roos put together a nine play, 83 yard scoring drive culminating in a five yard touchdown pass from Noah Jesko to Travis McClinton to make it 13-3 with 4:16 left in the first quarter. The ’Roos would add three more points on a 37 yard field goal by Andrew Klink to make it 16-3 with just over ten minutes to play in the first half, but that would be the last time Austin College would get on the board on the day. The ’Roos are home again next week when they play host to East Texas Baptist University with kickoff time set for 2:00 p.m. at Apple Stadium.
No. 12 Trinity began its 2012 season with a 56-7 victory over Howard Payne University on Saturday evening, winning for the 21st consecutive year in the season opener. The Tigers scored 50 or more points for the 30th time in school history, and have now won 12 consecutive regular season contests – dating back to the final game of the 2010 season. Trinity’s defense forced four turnovers in the game, and held HPU to less than 300 yards of total offense. The Tiger offense scored twice in each of the first two quarters, then opened the second half with a 21-point effort in the third quarter. Tight end Mason Lytal caught four touchdown passes to tie the school’s single game record. Quarterback Nykolas McKissic threw six touchdown passes in the game, which is the second-most ever for a Tiger QB. Three quarterbacks got into the game on Saturday, with Mason Blaschke rushing for one score, and Robert Broyles throwing for another to make seven total TD passes in the game. Garrett Biel also tied a school record on Saturday, converting on eight PAT’s during the game. Biel previously tied the same record last season, but it was originally set by Todd Canion in 2002. Canion hit eight PAT’s in a game on two different occasions that season. Trinity will play its first road game of the season this week, facing off against Texas Lutheran University. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 43-14 last season, but TLU won the last meeting in Seguin, Texas by a score of 42-14. Since renewing the rivalry in 2000, Trinity is 10-2 against Texas Lutheran, and the Tigers are 15-9 all-time in the series.
For the complete SCAC Gridiron Weekly for Week 1, click here.
