Photo by Dustin Wyatt
Texas Lutheran returns to Bulldog Stadium at 1 p.m. today to host Austin College in a non-conference matchup between two SCAC members. Both teams enter at 1-1.
TLU earned its first win last week, defeating Southwestern 19-10 after rushing for 226 yards. Javin Logan leads the Bulldogs with 110 rushing yards through two games, and the ground game could be key against an Austin defense allowing 225.5 rushing yards per contest and 409 total yards per game.
Ball security will also be critical. TLU has thrown three interceptions and lost a fumble, while Austin has yet to commit a turnover. The Bulldogs continue to work with Micah Casson and Elijah Favela at quarterback as Caden Bosanko works back toward full strength.
Austin quarterback Leyton Riviere has completed 33 of 56 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Jermiah Johnson has 10 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Vincent Aparacio is averaging more than 21 yards per reception.
That passing attack faces a TLU secondary that has intercepted five passes through two games. Malik Johnson and Justin Navarro have two interceptions apiece, with Adrian Sanchez adding another. The Bulldogs are holding opponents to a 50-percent completion rate, and four-year starter Troy Tomaselli leads the defense with 20 tackles.
Austin has controlled possession for more than 35 minutes per game and converted nearly 45 percent of its third downs. The Roos held the ball for almost 34 minutes in last week’s 23-17 win over Rhodes, so TLU will need to limit long drives while continuing to create takeaways.
Special teams could also factor in. Jack Nelson is two-for-two on field goals for TLU, while Austin’s Alex McGregor has made five field goals and leads the Roos with 20 points.
The Bulldogs have won six straight meetings with Austin College, including last season’s 55-7 victory, but today’s matchup presents a new challenge: TLU’s improving rushing attack against Austin’s run defense, and the Bulldogs’ takeaway-producing secondary against a turnover-free Roos offense.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.