Football

September 12, 2008

Tigers Escape Seguin With Last-Second Win

The Tigers (2-0) now lead the series 14-8 with Texas Lutheran, which played its season-opener. Trinity has won three games in a row over the Bulldogs – and nine of the last 10 -  including a 24-0 victory last year in San Antonio. Texas Lutheran was a 14-9 winner in 2006, in a game played in Seguin.

Biel kicked three field goals (on three attempts) for the Tigers, including a 25-yarder, the opening score of the game, with 13:05 remaining in the first half. With zeros showing on the clock at halftime, Biel fired up a 28-yard field goal, as the Tigers closed to 6-14.

Texas Lutheran senior wide receiver Steven Thrash caught a 19-yard TD pass from senior Frank Vera, at 7:35 in the second period. Then, with 2:24 remaining, senior running back Anthony Smith crossed the goal line from the 1.

The Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 16-7 in the second half, starting with a 1-yard run by junior quarterback Robert Davidson with 9:59 in the third quarter. The conversion pass failed and Texas Lutheran led 14-12.

TLU junior wide receiver Vernon Hughes caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from freshman Rocky Huff, at 13:23 in the fourth.

That would prove to be the Bulldogs’ final touchdown of the game. Davidson connected on a 5-yard TD pass to sophomore wide receiver Cory Scherr, followed by Biel’s extra point. Then came the 14-play, 49-yard dramatic game-winner, culminated by Biel’s field goal.

Davidson completed 30 of 47 passes (no interceptions) for 287 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked six times  by the Bulldog defense. Scherr snagged seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, while senior running back Al Furlow had six receptions for 49 yards. Furlow also rushed seven times for 10 yards. Senior wide receiver Riley Curry had five catches for 62 yards.

Caleb Urban, a senior wide receiver, returned four kickoffs for 81 yards, including a return of 30 yards. Punter Kyle Trella proved effective in the position, with seven punts for 300 yards (42.9 average), and a long punt of 52 yards.

Trinity had 21 yards rushing and 287 passing, for 308 total yards. Texas Lutheran produced 26 yards rushing and 133 passing, for 159 total yards. 

On the defensive unit, Trinity senior linebacker Dennis Grebe registered six tackles (three solo). Sophomore end Bruce Honore had five tackles (four solo), with one for a loss. Senior defensive back Evan Reville accounted for five tackles (three solo), one fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Junior linebacker Jarrod Burns also had five tackles (three solo). Senior defensive back Brendan Ross, a transfer from Colorado College, made the only interception of the game. Senior defensive lineman Jeff Carapetyan was responsible for two sacks.

Trinity begins its SCAC campaign next Saturday at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., with a 1 p.m. kickoff.

First-year kicker Garrett Biel nails the game-winning field goal in the final seconds at Texas Lutheran, as the Tigers win 22-21

Biel and William Matevia (holder) posing after the game