The Trinity University Football Team opens their 2026 season at home in San Antonio, Texas against Texas Lutheran.
 
Last Season
 
The Tigers finished the season with an 10-2 overall record (6-1 SAA) and fell to Berry in the Southern Athletic Association championship. They also made their fifth straight trip to the NCAA playoffs while also advancing to the third round of the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2002. Over the course of the year, the Tigers outscored their opponents 435-175, recorded 17 interceptions which was 2 more than the previous year, and had 20 players earn All-SAA honors.
 
Caleb Bayer (Grandview, Texas / Grandview) headlined the awards list, earning SAA Man of the Year along with many others. He was also named AFCA and D3football.com All-American, AP All-American, D3football.com All-Region Honoree, a member of the All-Texas Non-FBS Team, and the 2025 Rimington Award winner. Alejandro Tavarez (San Antonio, Texas / Johnson) added to his accolades by earning spots on the All-Texas Non-FBS Team, AP All-American Team, and D3football.com All-Region Team.
 
2026 Schedule
 
The Tigers look to kick off their season with four straight home games, their home opener being against Texas Lutheran on September 5th at 7:00 PM. Following that week, on September 12th at 7:00 PM, the Tigers will host the McMurry Warhawks. To close pre-season play, the Tigers will face off against Pacific Lutheran in San Antonio on September 19th at 7:00 PM.
 
After a bye week, the Tigers open up conference play in the Southern Athletic Association at home against conference rival Berry College on October 3rd at 12:00 PM. The following week, they head up the road to Georgetown for a face-off against Southwestern on October 10th at 1:00 PM. Trinity's regular-season ends with two road games, the first being on November 7th at 1:00 PM against Centre all the way in Danville, Kentucky. For the final week, the Tigers will be flying to Memphis, Tennessee to take on Rhodes College on September 14. 
 
This Season
 
Despite losing some key pieces on the offensive front, the Tigers are still predicted to be at the top of the SAA this season. Senior wide receivers Alejandro Tavarez, Lamont Nickleberry (Childress, Texas / Childress), and Tyson Hancock (Smithville, Texas / Smithville) are all returning to the receiver room. Newcomer quarterback Welker Horn (Lubbock, Texas / Lubbock Christian), running back Jason Love (San Antonio, Texas / Brennan), and offensive lineman Landon McIninch (Haslet, Texas / Northwest) are all set to do big things this season.
 
Defensively, returning All-American TJ Scannell (San Antonio, Texas / Reagan) and Dorien Hill (Buda, Texas / Hays) will control the box as the linebackers. Jackson Priesmeyer (Sugar Land, Texas / Strake Jesuit) as well as Azriel Ngatcha (Irving, Texas / MacArthur) will lead the defensive front, looking to disrupt opponents offensive schemes. The back end of the Tiger's defensive unit is led by Anthony Njoku (Richmond, Texas / Travis) while also returning Delvin Gantt (Burton, Texas / Burton), All-American Judson Crockett (Austin, Texas / TCU) and Kody Brown (San Antonio, Texas / Harlan). With a solid core of returning playmakers and some exciting newcomers, the Tigers are set to make a statement by adding another conference title and deep playoff run to their resume.
 
Preview - Defending the Tiger Den
 
The Tigers will open their season at home at Trinity Multipurpose Stadium to take on the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs on September 5th at 7:00 PM.
 
On the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs: Last season, the Bulldogs had an overall record of 6-4 (5-0 SCAC) and fell to McMurry in a 27-19 loss for the SCAC championship. The Bulldogs are picked to win the SCAC for the 3rd year in a row, and have the team to get it done.
 
Star Quarterback Caden Bosanko fell injured in game one of the 2025 season and missed the rest of  season, but is back and ready to continue where he left off. In the 2024 season he led the Bulldog offense with nearly 2,000 yards in the air and 700 on the ground and racked up 24 total touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Ja'Mare Nichols returns after a big 2025 season earning himself All-SCAC Honorable Mention honors after hauling in 373 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.
 
On defense, the Bulldogs bring back two heavy contributors: seniors Justin Navarro and Troy Tomaselli who combined for 93 tackles. Navarro ended the 2025 season with 60 tackles and 6 pass breakups which earned him All-SCAC First Team honors. Tomaselli battled some injuries this past season but is ready to return and lead the defense. Last season, the Tigers travelled to Seguin and beat the Bulldogs 26-14, giving them a lifetime record of 20-14. However, the last time the Tigers played Texas Lutheran at home, they got beat for the first time since 2016. The Tigers will have an opportunity to re-claim dominance on their home turf versus Texas Lutheran this season.
 
Looking Ahead
 
The Tigers will play their second game of the season at home against McMurry University on September 12th at 7:00 PM.