Bulldogs Complete 10-Point Comeback to Defeat Pirates, 21-17

GEORGETOWN, Texas -- In a tale of two halves, the Bulldogs came back from a 17-7 deficit to top Southwestern, 21-17, in a Saturday afternoon showdown at Birkelbach Field between the near-by American Southwest foes.

Texas Lutheran won its fourth consecutive road game as TLU finishes 4-1 on the road this season. Texas Lutheran allowed 429 yards of total offense but key turnovers in the form of a first half fumble recovery and James Gipson (Castroville/Medina Valley) interception that sparked the fourth quarter two-minute drill swung the game in Texas Lutheran's favor with TLU finding the end zone after each turnover.

Seth Cosme (Angleton/Angleton) threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns on 30-for-36 passing.

The two teams were tied 7-7 at halftime after tight end Aaron Sotelo (Castroville/Medina Valley) found the end zone in the closing seconds of the first half for his first of two touchdowns on the day.

Southwestern would score 10 unanswered as the second half worked into the early moments of the fourth quarter.

Texas Lutheran responded by scorIng 14 unanswered to close the game. Aaron Sotelo scored an 18-yard receiving touchdown with 8:04 remaining in the game. Following the Gipson interception, the Texas Lutheran offense would drive down the field and cap their game winning drive off with a Jacob Forton (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) rushing touchdown - taking the direct snap out of the Wildcat formation - with 14 seconds remaining to win the game.

The Texas Lutheran defense avoided disaster by bringing down Southwestern at the five yard line with no time remaining after completing a hail mary attempt. Southwestern moved the ball well throughout but could not finish drives despite moving the ball effectively both through the air and on the ground.

Texas Lutheran improved to 4-5 overall and 3-4 in the ASC while Southwestern dropped to 3-6 overall and 2-5 in ASC action.

Aaron Sotelo had a career day with a career-high 12 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Sotelo's 12 receptions are the third most in a single-game in TLU Football history. With 123 yards, Sotelo accounted for 41-percent of TLU's total offense. Jacob Forton had seven catches for 37 yards while adding 22 yards rushing. Chase Patek (Victoria/Victoria West) led TLU with 50 yards rushing.

Trent Ward (West Columbia/West Columbia) and Caleb Giles (Houston/Lamar) led Texas Lutheran with nine tackles each. Amongst Giles's tally was a sack and two tackles for loss. Gipson and Khalen Wilkerson (Killeen/Ellison) each tallied an interception for the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Texas Lutheran returns to Bulldog Stadium next Saturday as they welcome the 8th-ranked Hardin-Simmons Cowboys to Seguin on Saturday, Nov. 12. Saturday will act as Senior Day as the Texas Lutheran Football program recognizes their Senior class for their contributions to the program. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.