LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Texas Lutheran claimed a share of the conference title with a huge 36-24 win over Austin College. Meanwhile, Trinity, remains in the running for a share with a huge win over Southwestern.
Texas
Lutheran University (8-1, 2-0
SCAC) at Austin
College (5-4, 1-1 SCAC)
Texas Lutheran overcame four turnovers and a quick
14-0 deficit in a 36-24 road win Saturday over the Austin College
Kangaroos that secured at least a share of the SCAC Championship
for the Bulldogs.
Trenton White was tremendous, ending his day with 20 completions in 35 attempts for 237 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for a career-high 94 yards on 12 carries while scoring two more touchdowns in the victory. The Bulldogs rushed for 297 yards and threw for 237, out-gaining AC in total offense 534 to 398.
The 'Roos took a 14-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game, but the Bulldogs were able to settle down and cut the deficit to 14-9 at half. After trading the lead, the Bulldogs took the lead for good late in the third quarter as White found Caleb Oliver for a 36 yard score and a 22-17 lead. Austin College got it down to a one possession game with 5:26 to play, but Texas Lutheran put together a beautiful 10 play, 89 yard drive, eating up 4:40 of the clock and resulting in a White touchdown run to seal the deal.
Oliver finished the game with seven catches for 98 yards and two scores. Marquis Barrolle, DIII's second-leading rusher, produced 105 yards on 17 carries, with a long of 43. A.J. Saucedo added 98 yards on 16 carries, with a long of 23.
On the other side, Madison Ross finished with a game high 139 rushing yards on 17 carries, marking three times in the last four games he's gone over the century mark. Bryce Murphy added 71 yards on 12 carries as the 'Roos finished with 237 rushing yards as a team. Jesko finished the game 9-of-24 for 161 yards, and Kyle Crawford led the 'Roos with five catches for 103 yards. Scott Loy finished with a game-high 12 tackles as well as two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal, and Jantzen Foster added 10 stops.
Texas Lutheran will look to win the conference title outright with a home matchup against Southwestern. Meanwhile, Austin College could still gain a share of the title with win over Trinity and TLU loss to Southwestern.
Trinity
University (3-6, 1-1 SCAC) at Southwestern
University (1-7, 0-2 SCAC)
Trinity picked up its first conference win of the season
as they spoiled Southwestern's homecoming with a 38-18 road victory
on Saturday evening.
Running back Jeremy Simmons had one of the best rushing performances in Trinity football history, carrying the ball 24 times for 215 yards and a touchdown. His 215 yards rushing is tied for the ninth-highest total in school history, and marks the first 200-yard rushing game for a Tiger football player since quarterback Mason Blaschke ran for 221 yards against Millsaps in 2012.
After taking a 14-0 lead into the break, Southwestern was able to get points on the board to make it 14-6, but Trinity answered in style as Desmond King took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, swinging momentum back in Trinity's favor. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown since Caleb Urban's special teams score against Colorado College in 2008. The Tigers would add another score to move it to 28-6 and cruise to the victory.
Jayden Holden led Trinity with three catches for 72 yards, while LeAndrew Gordon's only reception went for 35 yards.
Jai Boatman led Trinity's defense with eight total tackles, while Joshua Cook and Julian Turner finished with six stops each. Turner also had 2.0 tackles for loss in the game. Alejandro Anzaldua had five total tackles, 3.5 of which went for loss, and a sack. Martel Matthews had 2.5 sacks on the evening and a forced fumble to go with seven tackles.
For Southwestern, Bryan Hicks was 24-for-35 for 201 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Micah Sherman hauled in eight passes for 101 yards and two scores. Taylor Fann led the way defensively with three interceptions while Nik Kelly brought his conference leading interception total to six.
Trinity can still win a share of the conference if they can defeat Austin College at home this weekend. However, they will need help and a win from Southwestern, who will take on Texas Lutheran on the road in the final regular season weekend of play.
