SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Despite an impressive defensive effort including three forced fumbles, the Pirates fell 22-19 to Trinity University in San Antonio on Saturday night.
Southwestern busted out of the gate, scoring on their first drive after a tough defensive stand less than one minute in to take a 7-0 lead. Dylan Wilburn put his head down and rumbled through the Tiger defense to score from three yards out.
Trinity attempted a response but the Pirate defense wouldn't budge and held TU to a field goal. A pick-6 by Adam Saunders put the Tigers up 10-7 with five and a half to play in first quarter.
Justin Pelt's 42-yard completion to Nik Kelly with 4:50 remaining in the first put the Pirates back on top 13-10, but a blocked extra point attempt was returned 98 yards for the safety to pull the Tigers within one, 13-12.
Southwestern worked the length of the field and systematically picked apart the Tigers' defense. SU used six plays to score on the first play of the second quarter as Pelt found Stephens rolling to the left to put Southwestern up 19-12.
The Tigers tied the game on a Sam Harford completion from 28 yards out with 10:15 to play in the second quarter.
After a gutsy fourth and four call that the Pirates didn't convert on, Southwestern's defense made an outstanding play as Isaiah Galvan forced a fumble to give SU the ball back near red-zone territory with six and a half minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Southwestern wasn't able to punch the ball into the end zone and Laith Tucker's field goal try from 15 yards out was blocked to keep the game tied 19-19 heading into the break.
Defenses took control in the third as neither offense was able to find the end zone despite big plays.
Three-and-outs ruled the fourth quarter until late when Trinity moved into scoring position after another Saunders interception, putting TU at the SU 35. Southwestern's defense kept the Tigers out of the end zone and Trinity had to settle for a field goal to go up 22-19 with six minutes remaining.
Southwestern wasn't able to score in response as the Tiger defense once again came up huge to seal the win for Trinity.
Wilburn led the ground attack with 74 yards on 23 carries while Justin Pelt added in 51 yards on 18 carries. Matt Gillen had 86 yards receiving on four catches and Matt Sherman posted 81 yards on four catches to lead SU in receiving yards. Pelt was 13 of 30 with two touchdowns and two interceptions for 236 yards in the loss.
Defensively, Alex Lee had two sacks, 12 tackles and a forced fumble to lead the strong Pirate defense. Bobby Jones added 10 tackles and Alex Tyson and Galvan had a forced fumble each.
Trinity was led by Mason Blaschke's 47 yards on the ground and Sam Hartford's 66 yards in the air. Blaschke was 15 of 29 with one interception for 194 yards and one touchdown in the win.
Southwestern falls to 1-5 on the year while Trinity improves to 2-5 overall. The Pirates have a much deserved off weekend next week before returning to action on the road for a rematch with Austin College on Saturday, November 1. Game time is set for 1 p.m.