LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Texas Lutheran opened brand new Bulldog Stadium in style, thrashing Sul Ross State in a convincing 61-15 win.
The Bulldogs had many alumni on campus for the game including broadcasting legend Verne Lundquist of the SEC on CBS, who even jumped on the TLU broadcast to call some of the action.
Austin College and Trinity also opened their seasons at home while Southwestern got a visit from mother nature in its opening contest.
Austin College
The 'Roos opened their season up against reigning Southern Athletic Association Champion Rhodes College on a balmy Saturday afternoon. Austin College was slow out of the gates as the Lynx racked up 20 points throughout the first half of play. Austin College got on the board when Noah Jesko found Cooper Woodyard with 10 seconds remaining in the half; however, Rhodes took all the momentum back with a 98 yard kickoff return to go into the break up 27-6.
The 'Roos revved up their efforts on defense, especially from defensive lineman Tre Stewart, who finished with 2.5 sacks on the afternoon, but the Lynx were able to keep the 'Roos off balanced enough to pick up a 34-13 win. Jesko finished 19-for-34 with 200 yards passing, one touchdown, and an interception. Madison Ross added 12 carries for 62 yards while Woodyard had four catches for 81 yards and a score.
Austin College will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Marshall, Texas to take on the East Texas Baptist Tigers (0-1).
Southwestern
The Pirates opened their season welcoming in Hardin-Simmons on Saturday night; however, a game marred by lightning was finally called around midnight. The Pirates got on the board first to go up 7-0 before the first weather delay hit early in the second quarter.
As lightning lit up the sky and postponed the game for over an hour, the teams were able to get back on the field as the Cowboys took advantage, going up 21-7 at a shortened halftime and extending their lead to 28-7 in the third quarter. However, lightning returned in the third and did not hold up the rest of the evening. Both coaches agreed to terminate the game and the result would not count towards either team's record.
The Pirates will try again next weekend as they will welcome in Sul Ross State (0-1).
Texas Lutheran
Though lightning lit up the sky in Georgetown, fireworks were lighting up the sky in Seguin as they opened up Bulldog Stadium in style, drubbing Sul Ross State 61-15. The crowd went into a frenzy as Marquis Barolle slammed into the endzone from a yard out for the first touchdown in at the new stadium. The Lobos kept it close, battling back-and-forth with the Bulldogs, but a Tyler Bradenburg field goal ended the half to give TLU a 17-15 lead.
It was a Bulldog explosion in the second half, outscoring the Lobos 44-0 as the defense forced five turnovers in the second half. Trenton White finished 27-for-45 with 277 yards and three touchdowns as well as a rushing touchdown. Barolle had 139 All-Purpose yards with two scores while Lewis Williams II had six catches for 86 yards and two scores. Drake Dowling led the defense with 12 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and an interception.
The Bulldogs will begin a four game road stand next weekend, beginning in Abilene, as they take on the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys (0-0).
Trinity
Jerheme Urban debuted on the sidelines for Trinity, but the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets played spoiler, scoring on a 10 yard touchdown pass with 2:28 remaining to upset the Tigers on Saturday evening. Trinity had erased an 11-point fourth quarter deficit and took the lead on a Matt Kennemer touchdown pas with 3:45 remaining, but it was not enough.
Mason Blaschke finished 15-for-24 with 208 yards and two touchdowns while Williams had 25 carries for 137 yards and two scored. Kennemer led all receivers with six catches and 88 yards. Defensively, Jai Boatman picked up 14 tackles with a TFL and an interception. Trinity fumbled nine times on the evening and lost four of them including a costly one with under two minutes remaining.
The Tigers will hit the road next weekend as they travel to Salem, Oregon to battle the Willamette Bearcats (0-0).
