The Trinity Tigers opened their season on the wrong foot with a tough week one loss, falling to the Texas Lutheran (TLU) Bulldogs 20-35 in a game that was closer on paper than on the field. Trinity, who came into the game as the No. 13-ranked team in the nation, hosted unranked TLU in a Saturday night matchup. Turnovers and penalties killed the Tigers all night, as costly mistakes led to short-yardage situations for the Bulldogs on numerous possessions.
Despite wanting to get points on their opening possession, the Tigers failed to score on either of their two opening drives. The Trinity defense, which brought on 10 new starters this year after a high amount of roster turnover, kept the Bulldogs in check, forcing a five-play drive on their opening series. Unfortunately, the first of several mistakes for Trinity’s night would provide the first blow of the game. A blocked punt by TLU’s Tristan Smith was recovered by the Bulldogs and taken in for the first score of the game, giving Trinity an early 7-0 deficit.
Not deterred by the early disadvantage, the Trinity defense pinned their ears back, relying on senior experience. With the ball at the one-yard line, two costly TLU penalties pushed them back to the 10 on third down. With pressure from Trinity’s Elijah Gonzales and TJ Scannell, TLU quarterback Cade Bosanko threw a pass directly into the waiting arms of defensive captain Tyson Cornett, ending the 10-play drive without points.
Unfortunately, the Tigers trailed with a 7-0 end-of-quarter score and couldn’t do anything with possession, as yet another mistake cost the Tigers. Fifth-year senior Legend Grigsby fumbled on Trinity’s 32-yard line, giving possession to the Bulldogs with excellent field position. TLU took full advantage of the mistake, turning it into seven points after a Nehemiah Murry run to take a 14-0 lead.
Trinity responded quickly afterward, turning the deficit into motivation for a crucial drive. With 15 yards to go for the score, quarterback Ryan Back tossed to Grigsby, who did what he was so successful with last season: Taking the ball into the endzone. Grigsby brought Trinity to within seven thanks to the decisive run, scoring the first Tiger points of 2024.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, mental miscues and discipline would again rear their heads as a personal foul for unsportsmanlike conduct followed by a massive 38-yard pass put TLU on the doorstep just a couple of minutes into their next possession. The Bulldogs took advantage with another scoring drive, re-extending the gap to a two-score lead. Trinity’s next drive didn’t end much better for their momentum, as a freak play resulted in Ryan Back passing the ball to himself on a 12-yard loss. TLU’s second turnover of the night came with just one second left on the clock as running back Weston Guzman fumbled, but a Trinity Hail Mary came within inches of Will Taylor’s outstretched hands before falling incomplete.
Halftime adjustments weren’t enough to prevent an early personal foul on behalf of the Tigers, but the defense held strong on the first drive of the second half. Trinity could not score a touchdown on their next possession but did come close, with accuracy proving to be an issue. The Tigers brought out Preseason All-American klicker Tyler Huettel for a 32-yard chip shot field goal to bring the score closer, but still not enough. It would be almost the same story on the next drive as three straight passes hit the dirt in the redzone, forcing another kick and a 13-21 score.
The defense tried to hold as firm as possible, but personal fouls and a slow offense couldn’t stop the Bulldogs from putting up another 14 points in the final quarter. Trinity did manage to put up seven points thanks to a late Lamont Nickleberry touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell in a stunning upset.
The second half was much stronger for Trinity than the first, but turnovers proved costly. Three of the four turnovers by Trinity resulted in touchdowns for the Bulldogs, while the Tigers could not capitalize on either of TLU’s miscues. Additionally, discipline and penalties were a significant factor for Trinity, as they had nine penalties for 105 yards throughout the game, with the majority being personal fouls.
The Tigers travel on the road this weekend to Jackson, MS, to play another night game against Belhaven before they return home to face Washington & Lee University at home on Sept. 21.
