“Both teams felt the effect of the storms as it was a slow and sloppy third quarter,” explains SAGU head coach Frank Tristan, “Luckily we were able to stay focused and battle through some of the errors.”
The game began with back-to-back turnovers, starting with a SAGU fumble. The very next play, SAGU junior Carl Morgan intercepted a pass at the SAGU three-yard line.
SAGU was the first to score with six minutes to go in the first quarter. SAGU quarterback Lincoln Kenitzer connected on an 18-yard pass to Bryant Dotson for the Lions first touchdown. On the next series, Austin College was able to answer with a touchdown of their own, tying the score 7-all.
In the Lions opening series of the second quarter, Kenitzer threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Carr. The score at halftime was 14-7, SAGU.
At halftime the storms moved in and resulted in the lengthy rain delay.
The third quarter went without any touchdowns from either team. The Roos kicker, Isaac Armijo, kicked a 40-yard field goal to make the score 14-10.
With just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter AC took their first lead of the night, going up 17-14.
SAGU was able to quickly answer when, on their next possession, they marched the ball 85 yards in nine plays to score off a quarterback sneak from 1-yard out. The Lions went up 21-17.
In the next defensive series, SAGU held the Roos to four-and-out.
The final points of the game came from a SAGU safety after the time had ran out. The Lions win their first home game of the season 23-17.
“Our defense showed up in a big way against Austin College. It was Carl Morgan’s first game of the year and he did very well, Ethan Eastwood had a huge game and Matt Lighter is now at 100% after dealing with nagging injuries and he really played big for us,” says Tristan.
For SAGU’s defense, Carl Morgan had two interceptions, two pass break-ups and seven tackles. Ethan Eastwood added 12 tackles, one of those for a loss. Matt Lighter had seven tackles, three for a loss and one sack. Ray Lea and Ethridge Brooks each had an interception of their own.
For the offense, Kenitzer was 21-for-30 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Torras Hill had three catches for 62 yards. Bryant Dotson and Jeremy Carr each had three receptions for a touchdown. JP Lowery had 17 carries for 70 yards and Ricky Bickham had 11 carries for 61 yards.
SAGU begins Central States Football League play next week when they travel to Lyon College (Batesville, Ar). Game time is at 4pm. The Scots are currently 1-4.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
Contact: Natalie Tristan, SAGU SID, [email protected]
