The Tigers (8-1, 5-1 SAA) continued their strong finish to conference play with a dramatic 16-13 comeback victory over Centre College. Trinity opened the scoring in the first quarter when Hondo Franklin connected with Alejandro Tavarez for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Centre responded with two touchdowns late in the first half to take a 13-7 lead into the break. The Tiger defense kept the Colonels scoreless throughout the second half, giving the offense an opportunity to work its way back into the game. Jackson Runyan connected on a 29-yard field goal late in the third quarter before adding another 25-yard kick early in the fourth to tie the game at 13-13. With less than a minute remaining, Runyan delivered the biggest kick of the afternoon, connecting from 44 yards out to give Trinity the 16-13 lead with just 55 seconds left. Franklin finished with 140 passing yards and a touchdown, while Tavarez led the receiving corps with 71 yards and a touchdown on five receptions. Defensively, TJ Scannell led the Tigers with 13 tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble. Dorien Hill added seven tackles, while the Tiger defense forced three turnovers and held Centre scoreless in the second half to secure the road victory.

SAA Defensive Player of the Week - TJ Scannell

For the second time this season, TJ Scannell has been selected as the SAA Defensive Player of the Week.

From the SAA Press Release:

Scannell led the #15/18 Trinity football team to a hard-fought 16-13 SAA road win at Centre on Saturday. He led all players with 13 total tackles, including 10 solo stops. Scannell also recorded 2.0 sacks for a loss of eight yards, forced a fumble for one of three turnovers forced by the defense, and added a pass breakup.

Scannell was instrumental in the fourth quarter, beginning with a fourth-down sack on Centre's opening drive of the final period that helped set up a game-tying field goal. He then forced a fumble on the first play of Centre's next drive, giving Trinity possession back immediately. Late in the game, after Trinity had taken the lead, Scannell recorded another fourth-down sack to seal the victory.

SAA Special Teams Player of the Week - Jackson Runyan

For the second time this season, Jackson Runyan has been selected as the SAA Special Teams Player of the Week.

From the SAA Press Release:

Runyan led #15/18 Trinity to a 16-13 SAA road win at Centre on Saturday, connecting on three field goals in four attempts, including a game-winning 44-yard kick with less than a minute remaining. His only miss came at the end of the first half on a blocked 49-yard attempt. Runyan scored all nine of Trinity's points in the second half to complete the comeback victory. His first field goal came with under 90 seconds remaining in the third quarter to cut Centre's lead to 13-10. He then tied the game with a 25-yard kick with under nine minutes to play before connecting on the game-winner with just 55 seconds remaining.

Preview - Final Road Test

The Tigers will head to Memphis, Tennessee, to take on Rhodes College on Saturday, November 14th at 2:00 PM (CT).

On the Rhodes College Lynx: The Lynx enter this final regular-season matchup with a 2-7 overall record and a 1-5 mark in SAA play. After opening the season with seven consecutive losses, Rhodes has responded with back-to-back victories over Hendrix (24-17) and Sewanee (39-37). Most recently, the Lynx earned an exciting road victory over Sewanee, connecting on a 35-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win. Rhodes will look to carry that momentum into its final game of the season against a nationally ranked Trinity team.

The Rhodes offense is led by sophomore quarterback Brennan Keim, who put together an impressive performance against Sewanee. Keim completed 19-of-28 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns while adding 113 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. He accounted for 380 total yards and four touchdowns, leading the Lynx to their second consecutive victory. His ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground will be an important factor for Rhodes as it prepares to face Trinity's defense.

In the backfield, Keim has become an important part of the Lynx rushing attack, helping Rhodes produce 163 rushing yards against Sewanee. Robert Daniel has also contributed to the ground game, while Jelani Lovett provides another option in the backfield. Against Sewanee, the Lynx averaged 6.3 yards per carry and scored three rushing touchdowns, showing their ability to create explosive plays on the ground. 

The passing game is led by junior wide receiver Sani Bartlett, who led the Lynx with 111 receiving yards against Sewanee. Bartlett has been a reliable target for Keim, helping stretch the field and create opportunities for the Rhodes offense. Dunaven Kurak has also been a productive option in the passing game, giving the Lynx another receiving threat as they look to challenge the Tiger secondary.

Defensively, the Lynx are led by junior linebacker Robert Barkley, who has recorded 37 total tackles through five appearances. JD Davis has added 34 tackles, including two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while Alpha Diallo has contributed 25 tackles. The Rhodes defense has also received production from Garret Risner and Henry Walter, who have combined for 36 tackles. The Lynx will need a strong defensive performance to slow down a Trinity offense that has continued to find ways to win throughout conference play.

Rhodes enters the matchup following its 39-37 road victory over Sewanee, with Keim accounting for four touchdowns. The Lynx have won two straight games and will look to finish their season with another conference victory. Trinity, meanwhile, will travel to Memphis looking to close out the regular season with another win and maintain its position as the top team in the SAA. The Tigers will look to carry the momentum from their late-game victory over Centre into their final regular-season test.