JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - The Trinity University Football teams concludes the regular season with a win over Millsaps. 
 
The Tigers (8-2, 6-1 SAA) claimed a hard-fought 38-24 victory over the Majors of Millsaps College, overcoming an early 10-0 deficit in the first quarter. Trinity's second quarter was historic, as they scored 31 unanswered points, setting a new school record for points in a single quarter. 
 
Quarterback Ryan Back (Austin, Texas / Vandergrift) had a career day, throwing for 306 yards on 13-of-27 passing and four touchdowns. Alejandro Tavarez (San Antonio, Texas / Johnson) was his top target, hauling in a career-high seven receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown. Tyson Hancock (Smithville, Texas / Smithville) contributed with four catches for 64 yards and two touchdowns, while BJ Rainey (Cedar Hill, Texas / Cedar Hill) added 53 yards and a touchdown on a single reception. 
 
In the backfield, Xae Huerta (San Antonio, Texas / Jay) led the rushing attack with 12 carries for 69 yards. Winston Hutchison (Round Rock, Texas / McNeil) also contributed with 10 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Tyler Huettel (McKinney, Texas / McKinney) put his name into the record books by tying the school record for field goals in a season with 17.
 
Defensively, Cade Rabson (The Woodlands, Texas / College Park) led Trinity with 13 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. Jonathan Nwobodo (Missouri City, Texas / Ridge Point) had the Tigers' lone sack, and Ryan Ventura (Southlake, Texas / Keller) secured the first interception of his career.
 
With the victory, Trinity was named Co-Champions of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) and improved to 17-16 in the all-time series against Millsaps.
 
The Rundown
 
Millsaps opened the game with a determined 14-play drive, capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass. After Trinity's first drive went three-and-out, the Majors seized the opportunity, marching down the field again to add a field goal, building a 10-0 lead. 
 
The Tigers responded on their next drive, which started slowly but gained momentum when Ryan Back connected with Tavarez on an in-route for a first down. Back-to-back rushes by Huerta moved the chains again, pushing Trinity into Millsaps territory. Later, Back stepped up in the pocket and found Tavarez wide open, taking the ball inside the 10-yard line. Hutchison finished the drive with a handoff, bouncing to the outside for Trinity's first touchdown.
 
After a defensive stop, the Tigers looked to take control. Starting at their own 34-yard line, Back launched a deep pass to Will Taylor (Houston, Texas / Strake Jesuit) for a 37-yard gain. Two plays later, a perfectly executed tunnel screen to Hancock turned into another touchdown, putting Trinity ahead 14-10.
 
The Tiger defense held strong once more, forcing a Millsaps punt. Taylor's dynamic return set the Tigers up in the red zone. A few plays later, Tyler Huettel tied the school record with a field goal, extending the lead to 17-10.  
 
Trinity kept the pressure on during their next drive. Facing 3rd and 10 near midfield, Millsaps jumped offsides, giving the Tigers a chance to strike. Back rifled a pass through tight coverage to Rainey, who broke free for a 45-yard touchdown. Millsaps tried to answer before the half but was thwarted when Ventura intercepted an underthrown pass, returning possession to Trinity with just over a minute left. 
 
The Tigers raced downfield with Back firing precise passes, including big plays to Tavarez and Hancock that set them up inside the 10-yard line. On second and goal, Back evaded pressure and found Hancock on a crossing route for his second touchdown of the game. Trinity went into halftime with a commanding 31-10 lead. 
 
The second half began with both teams stalling on their opening drives. But the Tigers struck again, needing just one big play to ignite their offense. On third down, Tavarez beat his defender on the outside, hauled in a pass from Back, and sprinted 71 yards for another Trinity touchdown, extending the lead to 38-10. 
 
Despite a couple of late touchdowns by Millsaps, the Tigers' lead proved insurmountable. Trinity secured a decisive 38-24 victory.
 
Looking Ahead
 
The Tigers will look to secure an at-large bid to the playoffs to play next weekend.