Pirates close out SCAC slate at Trinity

Pirates close out SCAC slate at Trinity

2013 Southwestern Football
Southwestern Pirates (0-8, 0-2)
vs. Trinity University Tigers (4-4, 0-1)
Saturday | November 9 | 1 p.m. | Tiger Stadium (Directions) | San Antonio, Texas (Weather)

VIDEO/AUDIO: KMAC Sports (link)
Merle Bertrand (play-by-play), Johnny "JB" Baeza (color)

LIVE STATS: http://www.trinity.edu/departments/athletics/Football/livestats/xlive.htm

COMPLETE NOTES IN PDF FORMAT – Click Here

THE GAME

Southwestern and Trinity meet for the second time in 2013 after the Tigers shutout the Pirates at Birkelbach Field. Stephen Smith found Matt Kennemer for two long touchdowns as the Pirate defense held Trinity to three field goals on the afternoon.

The Pirates continue to look for their first win of the season while Trinity looks to bounce back from a 21-17 win at Case Western Reserve. Saturday's game also will count in the SCAC standings as the first meeting was a scheduled non-conference game and round out the Pirates SCAC schedule. Trinity closes its season with two conference games including the meeting with Southwestern and the regular season finale at Austin College.

THE SERIES

This will be the second meeting between Southwestern and Trinity this season. The Pirates hold a slim lead in the all-time series at 11-10-2 after the Tigers 30-0 win at Southwestern in October.

THE COACHES

Joe Austin (Concordia-St. Paul '01)

Austin is in his fifth year as a head coach after spending the previous four seasons at Hanover College where he led the Panthers to back-to-back second place finishes in the HCAC. He was also the offensive coordinator at the University of Dubuque after spending time at Augsburg College and his alma mater, Concordia-St. Paul.

Steve Mohr (Denison (Ohio) '76)

Mohr has been one of the most successful coaches at the NCAA Division III level and entered the season tied for seventh in all-time victories among actives coaches. Since helping guide the Tigers to their first NCAA playoff appearance in 1994, Trinity has reached the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in 2002 and three national semifinal appearances in1998, 1999 and 2002. He also was named National Coach of the Year in 2002 and earned regional coach of the year five times with the latest coming in 2011.

 

BACKFIELD IN MOTION

The Pirate defense has been solid this season recording a sack in every single game this season. The defense has also been active in opponent's backfields recording at least five tackles for a loss in each game this year. Led by Justin Broussard - with his 9.5 tackles for a loss - 16 other Pirates have recorded at least 1.0 tackle for a loss this year.

 

JUST IN TIME

As mentioned above, defensive end Justin Broussard has one of the top defensive players not only for the Pirates but in the SCAC. Broussard leads the SCAC in sacks with seven on the year including two games with multiple sacks.

 

PASSING THROUGH THE RANKINGS

The Pirates have been solid in the passing game most of the season with three receivers ranking in the top 10 of the SCAC. Colten Shea ranks third with 6.0 catches per game, while John Free ranks sixth and Taylor Stephens ranks seventh. As a team the Pirates average 229 yards per game through the air.

 

PLAYING THE 'WHAT IF' GAME

The Southwestern defense was again solid in the second half holding Austin College to just a field goal. The 'Roos only offensive points came on two long runs that resulted in touchdowns and were separated by just under four minutes. What if's always play a big role in a game no matter what level, however, without the two big plays from the 'Roo offense the Pirates would have entered the fourth quarter trailing only 11-6.

 

A WIN FOR THE PIRATES…

A win for the Pirates would give Southwestern its first win of 2013 and improve in the all-time series 12-10-2 … Southwestern would also win its first road game of the season and first since 1950 … it would make the Pirates 155-211-35 all-time

 

A LOSS FOR THE PIRATES…

A loss would be the Pirates ninth of the season and move their record to 0-9 … it would even the all-time series at 11-11-2 … It would also make the Pirates 154-212-35 all-time

 

A LOOK AHEAD …

Southwestern finishes the 2013 season on the road with a rematch at Trinity and a trip to the east coast against NCAA-III newcomer Southern Virginia … The game at Trinity will be the SCAC official meeting to close the conference season for Southwestern