SEGUIN, Texas - For the second stragiht season, the Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs have won the SCAC Football Championship, defeating Southwestern University 41-14 on Saturday afternoon. Box Score | Postgame Interview with TLU Head Coach Danny Padron | Postgame Interview with Trenton White, Marquis Barrolle, and Joey Meza
The Bulldogs wasted little time, getting a 39 yard kickoff return from Drake Dowling. On the first offensive play from scrimmage, Marquis Barrolle scampered up the middle, untouched, for a 40-yard score and a 7-0 lead.
After the defense held Southwestern, Trenton White kept the ball on a designed run and took it 75-yards for a score and a 14-0 lead, running only three offensive plays.
White struck again on the Bulldogs next offensive possession, as he scored his second rushing touchdown for a 21-0 first quarter lead.
A pair of field goals and a Caleb Oliver touchdown reception made it 34-0 going into the break. The Bulldogs controlled the ball for the remainder of the game, keeping the ball on the ground and running clock.
The Bulldogs outgained the Pirates 416-260 with most of Southwestern's yards coming in the second half.
On a day where throwing the ball was extremely difficult due to rain, cold, and wind, Barrolle led the offense with 136 yards rushing on 14 carries and a score while White added 135 yards rushing on eight carries and two scores. TLU produced 333 yards on the ground on Saturday afternoon.
Michael Wall led the way with eight tackles while Adam McGuire added seven tackles and a sack while Darian Candler had seven sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. The Bulldogs did not force any turnovers, but were efficient, hold Southwestern to 1-of-17 on third downs. Texas Lutheran also had seven sacks on the day.
For the Bulldogs, it's their second consecutive SCAC title after winning their first one a year ago. They move to 9-1 (3-0 SCAC) on the regular season.
Since the conference does not receive an automatic bid for football playing schools, the Bulldogs will learn their postseason fate on Sunday during the Division III Selection Show at 5 p.m. CT. In the latest predictions from D3football.com, the Bulldogs are in the 32 team field.
