San Antonio - The Trinity football team thwarted a fourth-quarter rally to defeat the University of Redlands (CA) 34-27 on Saturday night, opening up the 2016 season for both teams.

After the game, Head Coach Jerheme Urban, running back Evan McDowell, and linebacker Mitchell Globe gave their thoughts on opening the season with the win.

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GAME SUMMARY

Trinity used a 13-point second quarter to take a 20-3 lead into halftime, sparked by an interception return for a touchdown by Mitchell Globe.

Redlands stormed back into the game with a 17-7 advantage in the third quarter, though the Tigers still led 27-20 heading into the fourth.

Redlands faked a punt deep in its own territory early in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert.  Trinity was held scoreless on the next drive, but after an interception by the Tiger defense, the offense went 23 yards on four plays to go ahead 34-20.

With less than two minutes to play, Redlands scored again to cut the lead to just seven points (34-27), and then recovered the onside kick to set up its shot to tie the game.

The first play of the ensuing drive went for 36 yards to set up first down from the Trinity 17 yard line, but the Tiger defense held on to preserve the win. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Robert Molina broke up a pass in the end zone to end the final drive of the night for the Redlands offense.

Trinity's defense took an interception return back for a touchdown in the second quarter, which marks the seventh consecutive season that the Tigers have scored a defensive touchdown.

Evan McDowell finished with 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his first start at running back for the Tigers.

Austin Grauer hit nine different receivers in the game, connecting on 15-27 passes for 217 yards and a pair of scores.

Cody Sandman caught four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown to lead the team.

Tommy Lavine caught a pair of passes for 51 yards and his first career touchdown.

Joshua Cook led the Tiger defense with 14 tackles, as well as picking up an interception and three pass breakups.

Julian Turner also collected 14 tackles, including one for a loss, and also recovered a fumble.

Luke Packard finished with 13 tackles and the only sack of the game for Trinity, dropping the Redlands QB for a 13-yard loss.

NOTABLES

Cody Sandman became the 16th Trinity player ever to reach 1,300 receiving yards in a career.  It also marked the fifth time in Sandman's career that he finished with 90+ yards receiving.

Trinity improved to 4-0 all-time against Redlands, with two of those games being decided by less than 10 points.

The Tiger football team has now won 24 of its last 25 home openers, dating back to the 1992 season.

UP NEXT

Trinity hits the road next week to renew an old rivalry with Millsaps College.  The Tigers and Majors kick off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, in Jackson, Mississippi.