MARSHALL, Texas - The visiting Trinity Tigers overcame a slow start and a host of errors on Saturday, turning back East Texas Baptist 23-0. The victory spoiled the debut of new ETBU head coach Mark Sartain but represented an improvement over last year's 41-0 whitewashing in San Antonio.
After receiving the opening kickoff, East Texas lost four yards and saw Thad Fortune's first pass attempt nearly intercepted by a leaping Dylan Nealous. Starting at their 35, Trinity drove to the ETBU 5 before stalling. Peter Lizcali connected from 22 yards out to stake the visitors to a 3-0 lead. The "Black Flag" defense held on ETBU's next possession and a poor punt gave Trinity the ball at midfield. On first down Blake Barmore saw his pass to Riley Curry pop into the air after a hard hit. ETBU linebacker Brandon Stumon picked up the pass before it hit the ground and took it 50 yards for an apparent score. A clip well behind the play drew a flag, but ETBU was still in business at the Trinity 32 and proceeded to drive the ball to the 1. Facing a third-and-short, Corey George hit the middle hard but fumbled into the end zone. Trinity recovered and ETBU would not threaten to score again. Trinity, for their part, could not consistently move the ball for the remainder of the half, with receivers dropping several wide open passes. The teams went into the locker room with Trinity nursing a narrow 3-0 lead.
Trinity came out in the second half with a bit more fire. Barmore converted a third-down with a 14-yard scramble and a fourth down with a one-yard sneak before pump faking and finding a streaking Chris Coleman for 36 yards to increase the lead to 10-0. Thad Fortune was not fortunate with his first pass in the second half, which was tipped, intercepted by Lee Patterson, and returned to the ETBU 23. A roughing the passer call on an incomplete third-and-goal pass gave Trinity a second chance, and Chris Baer scampered five yards around the right side to expand the lead to 16. Lizcali's extra point was wide right. ETBU was held in check from that point with either Fortune or freshman transfer Stephen Oehlschlaeger (Liberty U) at the helm. Trinity's last score, after ETBU turned the ball over on downs deep in its own territory, came when Baer took a short pass in the flat, ran over several would-be tacklers, and scored from 28 yards out. Max Schuster's PAT provided the final margin of victory.
The score would likely have been worse had the visitors not been flagged for numerous offensive holds and illegal blocks on punt returns - Trinity rang up an unusual 116 yards in penalties. ETBU only had 51 yards in penalties but tended to have them at the worst possible times.
Barmore led the victors with 270 yards passing (18-of-32, two touchdowns, one interception). His 14 yard scramble was the longest run of the day. Matt Morefield was the day's leading rusher with 33 yards on ten carries. Dylan Nealous broke up several passes, nearly intercepting two of them, and was flying across the field all day. He officially posted eight tackles to lead the Trinity defensive effort.
Both ETBU quarterbacks struggled, with Stephen Oehlschlaeger's 62 yards (seven-of-18) bettering Thad Fortune's 34 yards (seven-of-12, one interception). Corey George managed 27 yards rushing on nine attempts. ETBU's young offense, which returned only three starters, was outgained 358-142, and converted only three of 14 third down attempts. Micah Rucker's ten tackles (four for loss) led the beleagured ETBU defense, and Brandon Stumon added eight tackles to go with his interception.
Trinity returns home to face Texas Lutheran next week while ETBU travels to Division II Ouachita Baptist.