MARSHALL, Texas — Texas Lutheran will take its two-game winning streak on the road Saturday as the Bulldogs travel to Marshall for a non-conference matchup with East Texas Baptist at Ornelas Stadium.
The Bulldogs (2-1) enter Saturday following a record-setting defensive performance in a 57-26 victory over Austin College, while East Texas Baptist (2-1) returns to the field after pulling away from Centenary for a 46-14 win.
For TLU, the trip to Marshall presents a significantly different challenge.
The Bulldogs intercepted Austin College seven times Saturday, establishing a new single-game program record while tying the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference record. Adrian Sanchez accounted for three of those interceptions, while Dylan Anaya, Owen Garcia, Malik Johnson and Andrew Silva each added one. Johnson returned his interception 55 yards for a touchdown, his second straight game with a pick-six.
TLU has now intercepted 12 passes through its first three games. They have won three SCAC Defensive Player of the Week awards after Sanchez took home co-player honors on Monday.
Head coach Neal LaHue credited a schematic shift toward more zone coverage, along with an experienced defensive group and pressure up front, for helping create those opportunities.
“We’re playing a lot more zone this year, and so our eyes are on the quarterback,” LaHue said. “I think that’s helped because they see the ball out of the quarterback’s hands.”
The pressure hasn’t always resulted in sacks, but it has affected opposing quarterbacks. TLU recorded five quarterback hurries against Austin College after producing eight against Southwestern and two against Trinity.
That combination of pressure and disciplined coverage will be tested Saturday by an ETBU offense capable of producing explosive plays both on the ground and through the air.
At the center of it is senior running back Paul Woodard.
Woodard has rushed for more than 200 yards in each of his last two games. After a career-high 238 rushing yards against Belhaven, he followed with 202 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries against Centenary. He enters the TLU matchup with 10 rushing touchdowns and one kick return score through three games.
“He’s a great athlete, great running back,” LaHue said. “He’s got some power. He also has some speed. He has a pretty good offensive line in front of him, and they’ve been hard to stop.”
Loading the box to contain Woodard, however, brings its own problems.
ETBU demonstrated that against Centenary. The Tigers rushed for 290 yards while adding another 222 through the air for 512 yards of total offense. Eric Stovall finished with a career-high 173 receiving yards and a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs another explosive threat they will have to account for.
“You’ve just got to play sound football,” LaHue said. “It’s about counting the box. So, we’ll try to put enough in there to make it harder on him. But if you commit everybody to the run, they’re going to throw it over the top.”
The matchup could ultimately hinge on something less spectacular than interceptions or long touchdowns: first down.
TLU has been particularly difficult to convert against on third down this season. Austin College entered Saturday as the SCAC’s best third-down offense before finishing 1-for-14 against the ‘Dogs.
East Texas Baptist presents almost the opposite problem, entering the matchup converting close to 60 percent of its third-down opportunities.
For LaHue, the best way to win that battle is to make sure ETBU doesn’t have manageable third downs in the first place.
“You’ve got to get them in long yardage, number one,” LaHue said. “You’ve got to play great on first down, in my opinion. And if you can get them in long yardages, the percentages say you can get off the field a little bit more. But if they have a lot of third-and-shorts, it could be a long night for us.”
Bulldogs Look for Faster Start
While TLU’s defense produced the headline numbers against Austin College, LaHue came away from the 31-point victory wanting more from his offense.
The Bulldogs trailed Austin College 20-6 late in the second quarter before scoring the game’s next 37 points. TLU eventually finished with 509 yards of offense, including 283 through the air and 226 on the ground.
“We’ve got to play better on offense,” LaHue said. “We’ve just got to play better in the first half.”
A late first-half touchdown may have helped change the complexion of Saturday’s game.
After A’Jean Augustine’s 24-yard field goal trimmed the deficit to 20-9, Micah Casson found Joe Perez for an eight-yard touchdown before halftime.
The score sent TLU into the locker room trailing only 20-15 before the Bulldogs took control after the break.
Casson received more work as TLU leaned on its rushing attack, and LaHue called it the quarterback’s best performance of the season.
The Bulldogs still aren’t ready to declare the quarterback competition over.
“When you’re in the game, you’re the starter,” LaHue said of his quarterback room. “It’s not like we have backups. We have guys vying for starting jobs.”
Logan Rodriguez made his own case late against Austin College. The freshman completed two of three passes for 110 yards, with both completions going for touchdowns.
“You may see him a little bit more,” LaHue said.
TLU’s ground game also appears to be finding its footing after producing 226 rushing yards in consecutive games. Johnathan Pompey scored three times against Austin College while finishing with 74 yards on 12 carries to earn SCAC Offensive Player of the Week.
The Bulldogs may need that balance against an ETBU defense LaHue described as fast, physical and willing to trust its defenders in man coverage while bringing pressure.
Familiar Foes Meet Again
Although TLU and East Texas Baptist no longer share a conference, there isn’t much unfamiliarity between the programs.
Saturday will mark the 26th meeting. ETBU holds a 6-5 advantage in Marshall since 2000, and the Tigers won last year’s meeting 24-21.
This will be TLU’s first trip to Marshall since 2021.
“We know them very well,” LaHue said. “We’ve been in the ASC with them, and we’ve continued to play them non-conference, so we like this game. I think it’s a great game for us.”
Both teams arrive at 2-1 and coming off decisive home victories.
TLU brings a defense that has made takeaways one of its defining characteristics through three weeks.
ETBU brings one of the most productive running backs the Bulldogs have encountered and an offense capable of punishing a defense that commits too heavily to stopping him.
Seven interceptions made the headlines last Saturday.
In Marshall, the Bulldogs’ ability to win first down may matter even more.
Texas Lutheran and East Texas Baptist kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Ornelas Stadium in Marshall.
The game will be streamed on FloCollege.