Texas Lutheran ends year with 59-35 road loss vs. Southwestern

GEORGETOWN, Texas -- The Texas Lutheran Bulldogs dropped a 59-35 decision to Southwestern University Saturday at Georgetown ISD's Birkelbach Field.

The Pirates jumped out to a 31-7 halftime lead en route to improving to 6-4 overall and to 5-4 in the American Southwest Conference.

TLU fell to 7-3 overall and to 6-3 in the ASC.

The Bulldogs finished in a tie for third in league play. Southwestern concluded its year in fifth in the ASC standings.

Southwestern quarterback Frederick Hover threw for 443 yards and five touchdowns, and receiver David Brandenburg caught 12 passes for 199 yards with three touchdowns.

The Pirates led 52-7 entering the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs scored 28 points in the final frame. Senior receiver D'Andre Gallagher (Cuero/Cuero) caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Grona (Fredericksburg/Fredericksburg) early in the fourth.

Gallagher then returned a kickoff 83 yards for a score about four minutes later.

Fellow seniors Pearce Loth (Rockdale/Rockdale) and Austin Mathews (Houston/Clear Creek) each collected touchdowns in the fourth. Loth scored on a two-yard pass from Grona, and Mathews rumbled into the endzone on a 21-yard run.

Mathews closed out the day with 79 yards rushing on 14 carries. He ended his final football season with 978 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, just two off the school record of 16, set by David Wehmeyer in 1971.

Grona threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns. He had one interception, and that one pick was returned by Aaron Robinson 68 yards for a touchdown.

TLU fell behind 24-0 in the second quarter before Grona found CJ Romero (Odem/Odem) for a 70-yard touchdown.

Southwestern registered 29 first downs and 555 yards of total offense.

The Pirates held the ball for more than 36 minutes.

TLU tied its best-ever finish in the American Southwest Conference (third) and improved on its 2017 season record of 6-4.