Bulldogs Knock Off McMurry, 17-10

ABILENE, Texas -- Texas Lutheran's defense intercepted three passes, while quarterback Seth Cosme (Angleton/Angleton) threw for 165 yards and two touchdowns to pull off a 17-10 win over McMurry on their Homecoming and Senior Day at Wilford Moore Stadium in Abilene, Texas. The Bulldogs picked up their third consecutive road win and moved to 3-4 on the year and 2-3 in American Southwest Conference play.

Texas Lutheran's defense stymied McMurry (1-7, 1-5 ASC) all afternoon long with a trio of interceptions, three tackles-for-loss, two sacks, and two pass breakups. Safety Mason Hardy (Flynn/Normangee) delivered a pair of momentum swings with two second half interceptions to go along with six tackles. Hardy, who transitioned from quarterback to the safety position days before the regular season, now leads the American Southwest Conference with four interceptions on the season.

Texas Lutheran limited the War Hawks to 84 yards rushing - marking the third time in four games that the Bulldogs' defense has held opponents under 100 yards rushing. Texas Lutheran currently ranks third in the ASC in rush defense, allowing 122 yards per game.

Linebacker Canon Kromis (Cedar Park/Vista Ridge) led the way defensively with seven stops. Montrey Smith (Schertz/Clemens) and Grayson Kowalski (Sabinal/Sabinal) each contributed a tackle-for-loss and a sack. Linebacker Caleb Giles (Houston/Lamar) would record the first of three TLU interceptions on the afternoon. Giles initially had a pick-six, but the play was called back due to a Texas Lutheran personal foul on the return.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter following a three-yard touchdown pass to Weston Guzman (McAllen/McAllen) from Seth Cosme on TLU's second drive of the game. McMurry would respond with a field goal on the following possession to bring the score to 7-3. The TLU defense would stand tall, holding the War Hawks scoreless until their final possession of the fourth quarter.

After a scoreless second quarter, Texas Lutheran found its rhythm again in the third quarter with the TLU offense driving 72 yards on 12 plays capped off by a receiving touchdown from Jacob Forton (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley). The Bulldogs would make it a 10-point gap when Joaquin Rodriguez (San Antonio/Smithson Valley) added a 15-yard field goal with 2:06 remaining in the game.

McMurry would drive down and score with 24 seconds left to bring the score to 17-10, but would not recover the ensuing onside kick bringing the comeback attempt to an end.

Jacob Forton finished with 57 yards rushing on 19 attempts and 10 yards receiving on two receptions. Chase Patek (Victoria/Victoria West) led the Bulldogs with 55 yards receiving on four receptions. Cayleb Klostermann (Lyford/Lyford) would add four receptions for 34 yards. Senior quarterback Seth Cosme, who entered Saturday's contest sixth in NCAA Division-III in completion percentage, finished 20-of-26 for 165 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Texas Lutheran returns to Bulldog Stadium next Saturday as they welcome the East Texas Baptist University Tigers to Seguin on Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.