Brownwood, Texas - Behind a standout performance from running back Jeremy Simmons, the Trinity football team opened up its 2015 season with a 23-16 road victory over Howard Payne University on Saturday evening. 

The Tiger senior piled up 179 yards on 33 carries, tallying three touchdowns, and carrying his team to its fourth win in the last five games (dating back to last season).  Simmons ties for ninth place in Trinity football history for the number of rushing attempts in a single game.  He has also run for at least 150 yards in three consecutive games, after going for 216 against Southwestern, and 161 against Austin College, to finish the 2014 season.

After a quick three-and-out and a blocked punt to start the game, Trinity looked to be in trouble against the Yellow Jackets; however, the Tiger defense was up to the challenge early, holding Howard Payne to just three yards and a field goal.

Jakob Coker and Martel Matthews combined for a long fourth-down sack to finish off the next possession for HPU, and Trinity's offense capitalized on the short field with a 10-yard score from Simmons.  The Tigers never trailed again.  After the defense held again on a fourth down try by the home team, Simmons sprinted 64 yards for his second score of the quarter to put the Tigers ahead 13-3 (following a failed PAT).

Howard Payne scored to cut into the lead late in the second quarter, and with Trinity's only points coming by way of Miguel Mendiola's 25-yard field goal, the Tigers held a 16-9 lead at the intermission.

Simmons added his third touchdown of the game in the third quarter, also tying for a spot in the top 10 in single game history at Trinity.  Howard Payne put together its longest drive of the night late in the game, scoring with just 20 seconds remaining.  The Tigers recovered the onside kick, though, and were able to kneel the ball to secure the win.

Coker finished with 14 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the game, though it was Julian Turner who led the team with 16 stops for the Tigers.  Josh Cook and Brad Hood also recorded 10 tackles each, and Hood led all players with 2.5 tackles for loss.

Jai Boatman picked off a pass late in the third quarter for one of three forced turnovers by Trinity's defense.  Camden Joubert and Austin Pierce also recovered fumbles.  Though the defense allowed 349 yards of total offense, 145 of those came on four fourth-quarter drives by Howard Payne.

A pair of wide receivers made their returns from injury in the game, and the duo led the way for the Tigers.  Zack Allen caught four passes for 43 yards to bounce back from his season-ending injury in 2014, while Cody Sandman had three receptions for 42 yards.  Sandman was injured before the 2014 season started.

Quarterbacks Mason Blaschke and Austin Grauer combined for 193 yards through the air, with Blaschke completing 8-17 for 146 yards in the first half of action.  

Trinity will make its home debut next weekend against Willamette University at 6:00 p.m.  The Tigers were 2-3 at home last season, though the team did win each of its last two games in San Antonio.  Last year, Willamette defeated Trinity 34-10 in Oregon.