GEORGETOWN, Texas — Southwestern football put together its most complete performance of the season with season-highs in total offense and points in a 45-19 victory over the Austin College Kangaroos.
After surrendering an Austin College touchdown on the 11-play, 86-yard opening drive, Southwestern locked in with four touchdowns on its first four possessions, scoring 28 unanswered points to put the game well out of reach in the first half.
The Pirates got dynamic performances from quarterback Landry Gilpin and running back Jaquon Marion, keying a balanced attack that dominated time of possession by nearly 10 minutes. Gilpin was efficient with his arm, completing 18-of-27 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns with no turnovers. He also ran for 112 yards on 17 carries with another touchdown. Marion complemented Gilpin perfectly, running for 87 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown with three receptions for 65 yards and another touchdown.
The duo set the tone on Southwestern's first drive, accounting for all 89 yards, including a pass from Gilpin to Marion on a wheel route that Marion took 53 yards for the touchdown.
"Today's game was great for our offense. We've been stressing consistency and urgency," Marion says. "When we all come together and only worry about the next play, we can accomplish some things."
Southwestern's defense forced a three-and-out possession on Austin College's next drive, recording back-to-back sacks between Aleksander Gomez, Jay Hannath, and Bernard Sencherey. That set up another long drive for Southwestern sustained by Gilpin and Marion runs on third down and ending with a six-yard touchdown pass from Gilpin to Austin Castilleja.
Gilpin connected with Castilleja again on the next drive, finding the senior receiver over the middle with Castilleja breaking one tackle at the 20-yard line to finish the 46-yard touchdown. Southwestern scored again on its next possession on a 27-yard Gilpin run for the 28-7 lead.
The Pirate attack stalled late in the half, and Austin College capitalized with a long drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown pass from Tyler James to Xavier Maxwell to cut the Southwestern lead to 28-13 at the break.
Southwestern's defense shut down Austin College for most of the second half while the offense added a 29-yard field goal from Wil Herbst and a touchdown on a spectacular play from Gilpin, eluding two defensive players in the backfield, rolling out to his right, and finding Ethan Powell down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown. The Pirates' final score came on a one-yard touchdown run by Marion on fourth-and-goal for the 45-13 lead.
Austin College managed one last touchdown drive, marching 79 yards down the field on eight plays, with Devon Rideaux capping the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run.
Southwestern ran 44 times for 258 yards, with Gilpin, Marion, and Gianni Taisague averaging more than six yards per carry. Castilleja finished with five receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
The Pirate defense was just as impressive, forcing six Austin College three-and-out possessions and three turnovers on downs. Southwestern had eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage, leading to 32 yards lost, including three sacks for 15 yards.
Elijah Norris and Patrick Nicolas had six tackles and a pass breakup each. Aleksander Gomez had four tackles, one sack, and four quarterback hurries. Sencherey, Maliq McDonald, Jason Lund, and Hannath each assisted on a sack.
"I think everyone made plays today. I can't think of a single person who didn't," Sencherey says. "I love to see our entire team come together like that."
Southwestern improves to 2-6 on the season, including 2-5 in conference play. The Pirates will hit the road next week to play Texas Lutheran University on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 1:00 p.m.