FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[TLU02SA]

I wouldn't describe TLU as a run heavy offense.  The running game is important but TLU's offense is pretty well balanced.  They have a really good group of receivers.  TLU's QB, Trenton White, is in the top ten in passing TDs.  Jekovan Holmes, a freshman, is third in the nation with receiving TDs.  Caleb Oliver is a good threat down the field as well.  Here is a link to TLU's game day notes for this Saturday:

http://tlubulldogs.com/news/2015/10/21/FB_1021150946.aspx

From those notes - I was surprised to see TLU is doing most of their damage via the air this year:
The Bulldogs rank 10th in all of NCAA Division III in total offense, averaging 525.7 yards per game. TLU is 14th in passing offense and 57th in rushing offense.

Could be partly due to the injury of Barrolle.

I don't think so.  TLU has been running a spread offense since Coach Padron was hired.  In the last four years, the offense has relied heavily on the pass.  Like all spread offenses, TLU's relies on the WR screen but TLU will go deep and across the middle a lot.  In the playoff game last year, TLU ran the ball substantially more than in typical games.  I believe that was intended to keep the ball away from UMHB's offense.  I don't recall TLU using that offensive game plan in the past three years for any other game.  Maybe we see that again on Saturday and that would not surprise me.  However, that is not how TLU runs its offense week in and week out. 

[jekelish]

If the forecasters have it right (and we have seen plenty of cases where they have not, but ...), Saturday is going to be quite a washout throughout south and central Texas - at least both Trinity-SU and TLU-UMHB will be played on turf instead of grass.  AC plays on their home field, which is grass, and they're forecasting 2" of rain for Friday plus whatever comes down Saturday.

Just one quick correction Ron - AC plays on the road today, at Lyon College. There's supposed to be heavy rain there, too, but they play on field turf from what I'm told.

[TLU02SA]

Very frustrating game in Belton today.  TLU, from scrimmage, really held their own with UMHB.  Unfortunately, UMHB had two kickoff returns for touchdowns and blocked a point that resulted in the short field and touchdown. You have to almost be perfect in every aspect of your game against UMHB and TLU was not on special teams today.  Frustrating...

[Coolrey]

TLU didn't back down and were not intimidated at all.  UMHB just executed well at key times of the game and converted mistakes into points. TLU's kick off coverage had some breakdowns and the defense took some chances that UMHB exploited a few times. That happens. TLU is not far off.  The players play very hard and the coaching staff has elevated that program from nothing to a highly competitive DIII program in a matter of 4 years or so.  Not sure they will get a sniff for a playoff spot, but it would be nice to see them get another shot.  Would really like them to get a chance at HSU again.  But, that's probably not in the cards.  The team needs to fully dominate these last 3 teams on the schedule. 

[TLU02SA]

TLU didn't back down and were not intimidated at all.  UMHB just executed well at key times of the game and converted mistakes into points. TLU's kick off coverage had some breakdowns and the defense took some chances that UMHB exploited a few times. That happens. TLU is not far off.  The players play very hard and the coaching staff has elevated that program from nothing to a highly competitive DIII program in a matter of 4 years or so.  Not sure they will get a sniff for a playoff spot, but it would be nice to see them get another shot.  Would really like them to get a chance at HSU again.  But, that's probably not in the cards.  The team needs to fully dominate these last 3 teams on the schedule.

I completely agree.  I believe TLU was 0 - 10 the year before Padron took over.  It is amazing how far the program has come.  I thought TLU played hard and very well on Saturday.  I really enjoyed the play of our defense and I the offense did a great job, after a slow start.  TLU's special teams play resulted in 21 points for UMHB.   Without those...the game could have played out differently.  TLU is very close to being a consistent top 25 team and the program, on a whole, has shown that there is some continuity to their success. 

I suspect TLU will continue their strong play these next three games.  Next weeks game against Trinity will be tough.  If I am not mistaken, Trinity's only loss was against HSU.  With the game being at Trinity, the Tigers will be extremely tough and it will take another good showing by TLU to win. 

[Coolrey]

I believe the defense is better this year.  They did a good job slowing down UMHB's run game.  That did allow UMHB to take advantage of man coverage a couple of times, but that is going to happen sometimes, especially against a very good team.  Trinity is 6-1 and lost to HSU 30-7. They held HSU to under 300 total yards, so TLU will have their work cut out for them. Trinity was receiving votes in the D3 poll earlier this year until their one loss.  Not sure why they aren't getting a little acknowledgment in the poll other than maybe they consider their opponents to be pretty weak. It is a rivalry game and it will be intense.  Trinity used to be the king of the SCAC but TLU has taken that over.  Trinity will do their very best to get that back.  If TLU dominates Trinity, I think that should be considered a pretty good win and maybe boost TLU's stock a little. Should be a fun game.

[umhb2001]

I believe the defense is better this year.  They did a good job slowing down UMHB's run game.  That did allow UMHB to take advantage of man coverage a couple of times, but that is going to happen sometimes, especially against a very good team.  Trinity is 6-1 and lost to HSU 30-7. They held HSU to under 300 total yards, so TLU will have their work cut out for them. Trinity was receiving votes in the D3 poll earlier this year until their one loss.  Not sure why they aren't getting a little acknowledgment in the poll other than maybe they consider their opponents to be pretty weak. It is a rivalry game and it will be intense.  Trinity used to be the king of the SCAC but TLU has taken that over.  Trinity will do their very best to get that back.  If TLU dominates Trinity, I think that should be considered a pretty good win and maybe boost TLU's stock a little. Should be a fun game.

TLU is ranked 25 still. That's not bad. This week could be a let down week for TLU coming off a loss that I'm sure, after last year's post season loss, TLU felt they could come in and win over the Cru. I expect TLU to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost.

That being said, I was very pleased with the team this year and last. They work hard and show grit where other TLU teams have been beaten before playing us. Much props to the team, coaching staff, and school for building a winning attitude in Seguin. Only positive things can come of this for the South.

[tigerguy]

Hard fought game by both TLU and Trinity. Trinity's offense put their defense in a bunch of bad positions but the defense played spectacular. Trinity's running game could never get going and I was absolutely dumbfounded by Coach Urban's decision to run the wildcat on consecutive critical 3rd and 4th down plays on TLU's 15 with 3:00 minutes to play and down by a touchdown.

Great win for TLU but a loss for Trinity that will leave a bad taste in their mouth for the remainder of the season.

[TLU02SA]

Hard fought game by both TLU and Trinity. Trinity's offense put their defense in a bunch of bad positions but the defense played spectacular. Trinity's running game could never get going and I was absolutely dumbfounded by Coach Urban's decision to run the wildcat on consecutive critical 3rd and 4th down plays on TLU's 15 with 3:00 minutes to play and down by a touchdown.

Great win for TLU but a loss for Trinity that will leave a bad taste in their mouth for the remainder of the season.

A great win but possibly controversial.  The fumble by the Trinity receiver in the second quarter when it appeared he would be walking it into the end zone.  Seems the Trinity fans there believed he did score.  I was watching online and could not tell whether he had crossed into the endzone.  The TLU play by play and color commentator said from their vantage point, they could not tell either way.  The official that made the call was right there and immediately and demonstrably threw his black bag (or is it a disc?) into the field of play indicating the fumble.  That call goes Trinity's way, the outcome could have been different.

[Ron Boerger]

We were sitting on the other end of the field but you have to let the guy on the spot make the call.  It's a shame, the whole dynamic of the game could have been quite different.

The TU offense finally got got going in the 2nd half, but those wildcat plays at the end were odd.

[Ron Boerger]

One other note - Barolle tweaked something in his first series and did not return.   Saucedo went the rest of the way for TLU.

[Coolrey]

Rivalry game win against a one loss team. Field conditions were terrible for both teams. Why wouldn't a school like Trinity not have turf? It's always a tough game..Trinity really wants to reclaim the title. Was good to see better kick coverage by TLU. With HSU's win, would be interested if this improves TLU's chances for a pool c bid.

[Ralph Turner]

Rivalry game win against a one loss team. Field conditions were terrible for both teams. Why wouldn't a school like Trinity not have turf? It's always a tough game..Trinity really wants to reclaim the title. Was good to see better kick coverage by TLU. With HSU's win, would be interested if this improves TLU's chances for a pool c bid.

TLU gets thrown into the mix with CWRU. Let's look at the regional rankings to see where TLU and CWRU fit.

[Ron Boerger]

Really don't see how HSU winning helps TLU.   The Bulldogs still lost to UMHB who lost to HSU.   If UMHB had won, then you have TLU losing to HSU who lost to UMHB.   It's a wash, in either case the loser of HSU-UMHB is on the board before TLU.

[Coolrey]

I certainly don't expect either UMHB or HSU to be ranked below TLU.  In fact, that would be flat wrong.  I'm just wondering if TLU might be considered for one of the Pool C bids after everything plays out next week.  I know it's probably a long shot, but I guess we'll see.