GEORGETOWN, Texas – The No. 6/8 Trinity University football team scored 35 unanswered points to earn a 35-7 road victory over Southwestern University on Saturday afternoon, improving to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Southern Athletic Association (SAA) play.
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Trinity responded with 21 points in the second quarter to take control of the game. The Tigers added a touchdown in each of the final two quarters while holding Southwestern scoreless over the final three periods.
The Tiger defense limited Southwestern to just 140 yards of total offense, including only 38 passing yards, while forcing two interceptions and recording three sacks. Trinity finished with 389 yards of offense, including 303 through the air, and converted six of its 13 third-down attempts.
Quarterback Hondo Franklin (Allen, Texas / Lovejoy) completed 17 of 27 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Kade Ramirez (Needville, Texas / Needville) for a 31-yard score and Jason Love (San Antonio, Texas / Brennan) for a 27-yard touchdown. Alejandro Tavarez (San Antonio, Texas / Johnson) led Trinity with four receptions for 78 yards.
Southwestern scored the game's opening touchdown with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, but Trinity answered in the second. Luke Sams (Jacksboro, Texas / Jacksboro) scored on a five-yard run to tie the game at 7-7, and Franklin connected with Ramirez on a 31-yard touchdown pass just 1:43 later to put the Tigers ahead. Franklin and Love teamed up for another touchdown, this time from 27 yards out, to give Trinity a 21-7 advantage heading into halftime.
The Tigers continued to pull away in the third quarter, as Maddox Morkovsky (New Braunfels, Texas / New Braunfels) scored on an eight-yard run to extend the lead to 28-7. Morkovsky added his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter, capping the scoring at 35-7.
Defensively, Delvin Gantt (Burton, Texas / Burton) led a strong performance with two interceptions and 107 return yards. Jackson Priesmeyer (Sugar Land, Texas / Strake Jesuit) recorded three tackles for loss, including a sack, while TJ Scannell (San Antonio, Texas / Reagan/) added 10 tackles and a sack. Trinity held Southwestern to just eight first downs and two conversions on 13 third-down attempts.
Trinity will return home next Saturday, October 17, to host Maryville College for its annual alumni weekend game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Trinity Football Stadium.
