SAN ANTONIO – The #6/8 Trinity University football team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling 16-12 to Maryville College (TN) in a Southern Athletic Association game at Trinity Stadium.
The Tigers (5-1, 2-1 SAA) outgained the Scots 336-231 in total offense and held a seven-point advantage in first downs, but three interceptions and two lost fumbles proved costly in the four-point defeat.
Trinity took its first lead late in the first half after trailing 6-0 early in the game. Jackson
Jackson Runyan (Frisco, Texas / Rick Reedy) connected on a 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter, and
Hondo Franklin (Allen, Texas / Lovejoy) found
Alejandro Tavarez (San Antonio, Texas / Johnson) for a three-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining before halftime. The Tigers' two scores gave them a 9-6 advantage heading into the break.
Maryville regained the lead in the third quarter with a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Scots carried a 13-9 lead into the fourth quarter, and Runyan's 31-yard field goal with 13:44 remaining pulled Trinity within one point. Maryville answered with a 32-yard field goal with one minute left to seal the 16-12 victory.
Franklin led the Tigers' passing attack, completing 22-of-42 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown. Tavarez was his top target, hauling in 10 receptions for 125 yards and the team's lone touchdown.
Lamont Nickleberry (Childress, Texas / Childress) added three catches for 67 yards, while
Jason Love (San Antonio, Texas / Brennan) contributed four receptions for 33 yards and led Trinity's rushing attack with 30 yards on nine carries.
Defensively,
Dorien Hill (Buda, Texas / Hays) led the Tigers with 11 total tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack.
TJ Scannell (San Antonio, Texas / Reagan) added 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, while
Zavari Whitson (Round Rock, Texas / Round Rock) recorded nine tackles.
Jackson Priesmeyer (Sugar Land, Texas / Strake Jesuit) contributed three tackles for loss to help lead a defensive effort that limited Maryville to 2.7 yards per rush and 231 total yards.
The Rundown
Maryville struck first, recovering a muffed punt to set up its opening scoring drive. The Scots capitalized with a nine-yard touchdown run by to take a 6-0 lead with 10:04 remaining in the first quarter. Trinity's defense kept the visitors from extending the advantage, and the Tigers began to find their rhythm offensively in the second quarter.
Runyan opened Trinity's scoring with his 26-yard field goal, then the Tigers put together a late scoring drive to take the lead. Franklin completed the six-play, 76-yard possession with a three-yard touchdown pass to Tavarez, putting Trinity ahead 9-6 with just 22 seconds remaining in the first half.
The third quarter proved decisive. After Trinity's defense forced Maryville to punt, the Tigers took possession looking to build on their halftime lead. However, an interception near midfield resulted in a 55-yard pick six, giving the Scots a 13-9 advantage with 2:07 left in the quarter.
Trinity responded with a sustained drive in the fourth quarter, moving 60 yards on 10 plays before Runyan connected from 31 yards to make it a one-point game. The Tigers' defense then worked to give the offense another opportunity, but Maryville's final possession produced a 32-yard field goal with one minute remaining.
Franklin and the Tigers moved the ball into Maryville territory on the ensuing possession, converting multiple first downs to reach the Scots' 35-yard line. However, two incomplete passes in the final seconds ended Trinity's comeback bid and secured the 16-12 final.
Up Next
Trinity continues SAA play next Saturday, October 24, traveling to Jackson, Mississippi, to face Millsaps College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT.
