September 14, 2019

Waxahachie, TX – Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions Football team played a non-NAIA opponent, NCAA DIII Austin College, Saturday evening at Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie, TX. The Austin College Kangaroos prevailed in a one-point ballgame 27-26 to drop the Lions to 0-2 on the young season.

Lion Review

• Both teams suffered through sluggish first quarters offensively. Combined, the first six possessions resulted in punts and the two offenses accumulated only 58 yards of offense in the first six possessions.
• SAGU would continue a good defensive effort throughout the evening. Austin College was held to eight first downs, 28 net yards rushing, 2-15 on third down conversions, and 236 total yards in the game. Eighty of those 236 yards came on one possession for Austin College in the fourth quarter. SAGU’s defense forced Austin to punt on 11 of 16 possessions on the evening with two other drives stopped by turnovers.
• The game saw a combined 21 punts by the two teams.
• SAGU opened the scoring early in the 2 ^nd quarter on a 4 ^th down and 30 touchdown pass from quarterback Brylen Watson (SO/Midland, TX) to Bryant Dotson (SR/Grand Prairie, TX). The play covered 35 yards. The PAT was missed and the Lions led 6-0.
• Austin College answered right back driving 72 yards in 7 plays and tying the score at 6-6. With the extra point the ‘Roos led 7-6.
• On SAGU’s next possession Brylen Watson (SO/Midland, TX) accounted for 60 yards with his feet. Watson capped off a 9 play, 71 yard drive with an 11 yard rush to put the Lions back up 12-7. The PAT attempt was blocked by Austin College.
• After trading punts on the next two possessions SAGU’s Landon Jones (SR/Waco, TX) forced an Austin College fumble that was scooped up and returned 20 yards for a touchdown by teammate Noah Gipson (FR/Irving, TX) with 2:57 to go in the quarter. This time the PAT was good and SAGU led 19-7.
• Unfortunately, Austin College would score again in the first half when with no time left on the clock Austin completed a touchdown pass and converted the extra point to make the score at 19-14 at halftime.
• The teams traded touchdowns in the 3 ^rd quarter. SAGU’s Trey August (SR/Fort Worth, TX) blocked a 41 yard field goal attempt by Austin College giving SAGU’s offense possession on the SAGU 36 yard line. Two plays later Brylen Watson (SO/Midland, TX) teamed up with Bryant Dotson (SO/Midland, TX) for a 63 yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and SAGU led 26-14 with 11:05 to go in the 3 ^rd quarter.
• Disaster struck on an SAGU punt on their next possession as a fumble occurred on the punt attempt and Austin College returned the fumble for a touchdown. With the PAT, SAGU led by 26-21 with 6:15 to go in the quarter.
• Special team woes would continue for the Lions in the fourth quarter as they missed a field goal at the 9:36 mark and had another blocked with 1:12 to go in the game.
• Following the initial missed field goal Austin College went 2 plays and 80 yards on two passing plays to go ahead 27-26. The two point try was no good.
• SAGU drove 52 yards in 9 plays on their final drive to put themselves in a position to win but the field goal was blocked by Austin College. Austin College ran the clock out on their next drive to preserve the victory.
• Michael Bledsoe (JR/Tyler, TX) led the team in rushing with 79 yards on 20 carries. Bryan Dotson (SO/Midland, TX) had 10 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
• Gus Wright (JR/Siloam Springs, AR) led the defensive performers with six total tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception.

Next Step

SAGU has another bye week in the schedule on the 21 ^st of September. The Lions will travel to Phoenix, AZ to take on the Arizona Christian Firestorm on September 28 ^th at 7:00 pm PST.

As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community.

We believe in affordable tuition, made possible in part through the financial support of donors who embrace the mission of SAGU and the importance of affordable, accredited programs to train Christians for leadership in ministry, business, education, and service.

Most majors are available in-person in Waxahachie, TX, and online through a wide range of associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.