Bulldogs Fall to #4 UMHB in 45-16 Setback

SEGUIN, Texas -- Texas Lutheran's two-game winning streak came to an end Saturday afternoon as the defending national champion, 4th-ranked Mary-Hardin Baylor Crusaders defeated the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs 45-16 inside Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs fought hard - holding a Crusaders rushing attack that entered as the 21st best rushing attack in Division-III averaging 224.5 yards per game to a mere 78 yards and keeping their offense as a whole that entered ranked 16th in the country under their season averages.

Texas Lutheran punched first scoring on their opening drive with tight end Cole Andrus (Jourdanton/Jourdanton), who started in place of an injured Aaron Sotelo, finding the end zone on a six-yard pass from Seth Cosme (Angleton/Angleton). Mary Hardin-Baylor delivered a massive counter-punch scoring 28 unanswered points over the course of the final nine minutes of the first quarter - including a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown.

The Crusaders would extend their lead to 35-6 with a one-yard rushing touchdown out of the wildcat formation with five minutes remaining in the first half - taking that lead into the locker room.

The third quarter would see the two teams trade field goals. Texas Lutheran would finally stop the bleeding in the third quarter with kicker Joaquin Rodriguez (San Antonio/Smithson Valley) connecting on a 40-yard field goal to bring the score to 35-9 before UMHB would follow with a field goal of their own to increase their lead to 38-9 in the closing moments of the third.

The Bulldogs would hold UMHB to 40 total yards in the fourth. Opening the quarter with a drive that would end with a 20-yard touchdown reception from freshman Joshua Muncrief (Edna/Edna). UMHB would score one last time with three minutes remaining - bringing the game to its final score of 45-16.

Cosme finished with 253 yards on 30-of-37 passing with two touchdowns and an interception.Trent Stefka (Caldwell/Caldwell) was the game's leading receiver, catching seven passes for 86 yards. Cole Andrus led TLU with eight catches for 47 yards. DaKory Willis (Flatonia/Flatonia) rushed for 31 yards on seven carries. Canon Kromis led the defense with seven tackles. Trent Ward (West Columbia/West Columbia) finished with six tackles. Khalen Wilkerson (Killeen/Killeen) finished with five tackles and three pass break ups.

Texas Lutheran now turns its attention to McMurry University as the Bulldogs travel to Abilene, Texas, on Oct. 22 with kickoff set for 1 PM. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.