(Story courtesy of Texas Lutheran University Athletics Communications)
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Texas Lutheran dropped a 65-3 decision to No. 14 Linfield Saturday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA Division-III Championship Tournament at Maxwell Field in McMinnville, Oregon.
The Bulldogs (9-2) are just the second TLU team to make the NCAA Tournament since their start of NCAA competition in 2000 and the restoration of football in 1998 after being picked to finish second in the SCAC in the preseason. TLU matched the modern era record with its nine wins this season, equaling the 2014 team that also made the NCAA Tournament.
The 2024 TLU team is the first team in program history to make the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs were the first SCAC team to play in the NCAA Tournament since the Bulldogs in 2014.
After falling behind 21-0, TLU answered with an 11 play, 54-yard scoring drive capped off by a 33-yard field goal by Joaquin Rodriguez. The key play on the drive was a 24-yard completion from Caden Bosanko to Ryker Purdy. Purdy would lead the team in receiving with that lone reception while Bosanko would lead the Bulldogs with 50 yards rushing on 15 attempts.
Grayson Kowalski led the Bulldogs with nine tackles including a sack on Saturday.
The Bulldogs - a team picked to finish second in the SCAC preseason poll - conclude the 2024 season with a 9-2 record, going 7-1 in the SCAC to claim their fourth SCAC regular season championship, finishing the season as SCAC co-champions with McMurry. The Bulldogs also compiled the first undefeated season at Bulldog Stadium, a first since the stadium opened in 2014, extending its home win streak to six consecutive games. The Bulldogs also ended the season receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 Poll. The Bulldogs will graduate 13 seniors who played a major part in the Bulldogs playoff run. We thank them for all of their contributions to the Texas Lutheran football program.
