San Antonio - The Tiger football team scored 23 fourth-quarter points to defeat Austin College 30-7 Saturday afternoon at the Trinity University Football Stadium.

Trinity improved to 5-1, while Austin College dropped to 3-3 on the season. The Tigers have now won 19 of the last 20 meeting with the Kangaroos, including a 41-0 decision in 2014. Overall, Trinity leads the series 45-30-6.

"They are a very, very good football team," said Head Coach Jerheme Urban. "They do some things on offense that are physical. I tip my hat to my defense. They came out ready to go. Offensively, we sustained a couple of really long drives. We have to continue to work on finishing those drives. I thought the fourth quarter is a good example of guys making the most of opportunities. Again, I tip my hat to Austin College. They came out with a good game plan."

The Tigers broke a 7-7 deadlock in the fourth quarter, as quarterback Austin Grauer fired in a 45-yard TD pass to Cody Sandman, with 7:19 remaining in the period. On the next Austin College possession, Jai Boatman intercepted his second pass of the game and returned the ball 30 yards to the 'Roos 4 yard line. Two plays later, Travis Williams crossed the goal line as the Tigers led 21-7.

Just a few minutes later, Colby Doyal booted a 40-yard field goal to put Trinity up 24-7, and then Adam Saunders intercepted the ensuing pass from Austin College for a 33-yard touchdown.  That was the game's final score, which came with 2:48 remaining.

The first half of play was far different than the second, as a defensive battle ensued. The first scoring play of the half did not happen until there were five minutes left, as Travis Williams plowed through for a two-yard TD.

Austin College did not get on the board until the third quarter, on a 10-yard TD pass.  The 'Roos took advantage of a Trinity fumble inside their own red zone to get the score.  The Tiger defense allowed just 27 yards of offense in the second half, and the longest drive of the game was only 39 yards.

Grauer completed 16-30 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. Jeremy Simmons racked up 99 yards on the ground, and now has over 1,400 in his career. Sandman had six receptions for 88 yards, along with his touchdown.

Defensively, Brad Hood led the Tigers in total tackles, with nine, including one for a loss. Julian Turner and Mitch Globe each posted six tackles and a sack. Luke Packard accounted for a sack, as did Michael Inco. Jai Boatman's two interceptions totaled 30 yards, and Josh Cook also broke up two of the 'Roos passes.

The Tiger offense pumped in 187 yards rushing and 144 passing, for 331 total yards. Trinity's defense permitted only 49 yards rushing and 53 passing, for 102 yards.

Trinity and Austin College will meet again November 14 in Sherman, Texas. The final regular-season game of the year will count in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference standings. Next Saturday, the Tigers travel to Georgetown, Texas, for a 6:00 p.m. game with Southwestern University. 

"It's going to be tough going up there at the end of the year, in Sherman, to finish out the season," admitted Coach Urban. "We missed a couple of big throws, but again, I am so proud of my guys for continuing to fight. The defense was reminiscent of the old Black Flag days. They are playing outside their minds right now. We need to get the team to play at a defensive level as a whole, and we have a chance to be pretty good."