With six minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter, it seemed as though the Trinity Tigers were doomed at home. All the momentum belonged to Chapman University, as junior receiver Jason Isabel capped off an 80-yard drive with a 57-yard receiving touchdown, making the score 35-21 in Chapman’s favor. After about a quarter’s worth of no scoring, the Tigers began what would go down in Trinity history as one of the greatest comebacks ever, finishing with senior linebacker Mitchell Globe‘s 63-yard fumble recovery touchdown in overtime on a remarkable strip sack from senior defensive lineman Jacob Blankenship.
Globe described the Chapman victory as his favorite comeback of the season.
“It was our first major comeback and showed our resilience as a team “¦ it was also the game that I returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown to win, so I won’t forget that,” Globe said.
As the Tigers somehow ground out another victory from behind, fans were left awestruck “” and maybe even puzzled “” as to how the Tigers prove time and time again that being down in a game does not equal being out. For Tiger athletes, a key component in any comeback victory is team chemistry.
“Team chemistry is everything. If you don’t have team chemistry then you can’t work together to make the comeback. Comebacks are created by all 11 guys on each side of the ball working together and serving one another, or in the wise words of Coach Urban, “˜Just doing your 1/11,’ “ said Tommy Lavine, sophomore wide receiver.
The team’s chemistry this season has been apparent, in a comeback win over Rhodes College on Oct. 7, 40-34 in overtime. The Tigers rallied together to come back from a 34-24 deficit with only four minutes and 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Globe also commented on the power of teamwork.
“When you’re trailing in the game with time dwindling out, you rely on the trust of your teammates and coaches that much more. It starts with a belief that the game can be won, and then it needs be vocalized on the sidelines and in the huddle. This belief and energy spreads like a wildfire on our team because of how close we have gotten as teammates this year due to the culture our coaches and players have created. Once you have a roster filled with guys that absolutely believe we can and will win, big plays are made,” Globe said
All wins feel good, but for Tiger players, those comeback victories tasted a little sweeter. The sense of teamwork is something that can’t be beat.
“We would like to play with the same intensity all the time, but naturally when you are behind it makes you want to play even harder,” said Kievan Boudreaux, sophomore linebacker.
The locker room vibe following a Tiger comeback victory is like no other, as players and coaches celebrated well-fought victory.
“The scene usually involves our linebacker, Mitch Globe, on the aux accompanied by some bad singing and even worse dancing. We all enjoy celebrating after every win. … I guess the difference in comeback wins is that we sing a little bit louder,” Lavine said.
The Tigers took home a decisive victory over Austin College over the weekend with a score of 49-35. The team looks to build on the performance as they close out the season. On Saturday, Nov. 11 they travel to Georgia to take on the defending SAA champions, the Berry College Vikings.
