San Antonio – Trinity's football team fell just short in a 42-33 home loss to 10th-ranked Hardin-Simmons (TX) University on Saturday.

GAME SUMMARY

The game featured more than 800 yards of offense and 75 points, with Hardin-Simmons needing a late fourth-quarter touchdown to preserve the road win.

After trailing 28-14 with less than a minute remaining until the half, the Tigers scored a late first-half touchdown to make it a 28-20 game at halftime.

Trinity scored again to start the third quarter and cut the lead to just two (28-26), but Hardin-Simmons answered with a score of its own to push the lead to nine.

The third-quarter scoring outburst continued as the Tigers came back again with a nine-play drive that made it a 35-33 deficit with more than 20 minutes of game time remaining.

The first three quarters of the game finished without either team committing a turnover, but the fourth featured three turnovers and just one scoring drive.

Hardin-Simmons actually fumbled the ball on its first drive of the fourth quarter, but offsetting penalties erased the play.

Trinity punted on its next possession, but the Cowboys muffed the punt and the Tigers recovered at the HSU 36 yardline.

The Tigers tried to seize the momentum and take the lead with a deep pass on the first play, but Hardin-Simmons was able to steal the ball back with an interception in the end zone to reclaim possession.

Trinity's defense was up to the challenge again, forcing another fumble to stop the HSU offense once again. The Tigers were forced to punt again, and Hardin-Simmons took over at its own 38.

The visitors put together a 10-play, 62-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 10-yard touchdown that left just 60 seconds on the clock, and gave Hardin-Simmons the final score of the game and a 42-33 lead.

NOTABLES

Trinity falls to 1-1 on the season, while Hardin-Simmons opened up its 2018 campaign with tonight's road win.

Matthew Thompson made both of his catches count in tonight's game, scoring a pair of touchdowns for a total of 28 yards receiving.

Chris Stewart finished with 88 yards on three receptions to lead the Tigers, while Tommy Lavine had three catches for 43 yards.

Cash Crane's only reception was a clutch 37-yard touchdown grab that came with just 19 seconds left in the first half and brought Trinity within eight points.

Wyatt Messex completed 12-22 passes for 196 yards and a trio of touchdowns. He also rushed five times for 12 more yards and another score, accounting for four of the team's five touchdowns.

Kievan Boudreaux-Bostic led Trinity with 13 tackles in the game, while Nic Hover added 12 more stops for the Tiger defense.

Kale Ridge was in on a pair of sacks, finishing with six total tackles. Seyi Soyebo and Michael Inco combined with Ridge for the two sacks.

UP NEXT

The Tigers will begin Southern Athletic Association play by hosting Millsaps (MS) College at 1:00 p.m. next Saturday.