FB: Southern Athletic Association

[Ron Boerger]

Trinity won't get any help today as Centre's up 28-0 at half.   

Millsaps converted a fake punt and then on their seventh try inside the five (thanks to a third-down PI call) scores to take an early 7-0 lead. 

[tigerguy]

Millsaps runner sure looked like he was losing ball as he was going to ground, and he sure acted like he knew it because he immediately scrambled to get up and chase after ball. Refs ruled him down and Millsaps got another field goal. Thankfully looking like Trinity's offense woke up.

[D3Navy]

TLU - Southwestern tied 10-10 with a few seconds remaining.  Likely OT.

Looked like SW had it.  Go Pirates!

[tigerguy]

Trinity draws UMHB 1st round, winner plays Hardin Simmons second round. So sick of this setup and was really hoping Trinity or UMHB would get to play someone new for once. TLU gets shipped out to play Linfield.

Really disappointing since it is more of the same, but then again I didn't expect either Trinity or UMHB to be in the playoffs.

[Ralph Turner]

Trinity draws UMHB 1st round, winner plays Hardin Simmons second round. So sick of this setup and was really hoping Trinity or UMHB would get to play someone new for once. TLU gets shipped out to play Linfield.

Really disappointing since it is more of the same, but then again I didn't expect either Trinity or UMHB to be in the playoffs.

...or you could get shipped out to Linfield and let TLU play UMHB.

I think Linfield is tougher than UMHB  this year.

[tigerguy]

Trinity draws UMHB 1st round, winner plays Hardin Simmons second round. So sick of this setup and was really hoping Trinity or UMHB would get to play someone new for once. TLU gets shipped out to play Linfield.

Really disappointing since it is more of the same, but then again I didn't expect either Trinity or UMHB to be in the playoffs.

Trinity draws UMHB 1st round, winner plays Hardin Simmons second round. So sick of this setup and was really hoping Trinity or UMHB would get to play someone new for once. TLU gets shipped out to play Linfield.

Really disappointing since it is more of the same, but then again I didn't expect either Trinity or UMHB to be in the playoffs.

...or you could get shipped out to Linfield and let TLU play UMHB.

I think Linfield is tougher than UMHB  this year.

just would love for any of the Texas island teams to get to play someone new.

...or you could get shipped out to Linfield and let TLU play UMHB.

I think Linfield is tougher than UMHB  this year.

To be clear, I'm not complaining about being matched up with a stronger/weaker opponent. The Texas teams get the same matchups almost every year, so I would have loved to have a new opponent for once to see some cross-region comparison. At least TLU is getting that opportunity.

[Ron Boerger]

TLU (and HSU, Centre, and all the other non-first round teams) do get a week to heal up.

UMHB has been Jekyll and Hyde this year but I have a feeling they'll be on their A game this week. 

[D3Navy]

Any Trinity Tiger players here?  Parents?  If so, realize that you guys are an afterthought to the "experts":

https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2024/playoff-surprises-disappointments

To heck with that!  Dig in, focus, and prove 'em wrong.

[tigerguy]

Any Trinity Tiger players here?  Parents?  If so, realize that you guys are an afterthought to the "experts":

https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2024/playoff-surprises-disappointments

To heck with that!  Dig in, focus, and prove 'em wrong.

Hope the secondary can hold up.

[D3Navy]

Any Trinity Tiger players here?  Parents?  If so, realize that you guys are an afterthought to the "experts":

https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2024/playoff-surprises-disappointments

To heck with that!  Dig in, focus, and prove 'em wrong.

Hope the secondary can hold up.

They need to dig deep.  It's a mental game in the backfield

[Ron Boerger]

The SAA came out with their all-conference and superlative picks today.  Their pick for DPOY is a fine player; however, compare his statistics with those of Trinity's Cade Rabson:

Tackles:  DPOY 61 (8th), Rabson 109 (1st).
Solo tackles:  DPOY 36 (T8), Rabson 33 (T14)
Sacks: DPOY 1 (NR), Rabson 3 (T15)
PBU:  DPOY 3, Rabson 4 (PBUs not maintained as a separate statistic)
TFL:  DPOY 5.0 (T26), Rabson 12.5 (4)
Blocked punts:  DPOY 0, Rabson 2 (Blocked punts aren't maintained as a separate stat)

Not sure what the coaches were thinking when they made this selection, but congratulations to Cade on a very fine season nonetheless. 

Other than the DPOY race:

Offensive POY:  Brandon Cade, Berry, RB, Junior:  1023 yds rushing, 18 TDs
Special Teams POY:  Tyler Huettel, Trinity, K, Senior:  17-21 FG (long of 49), 59 punts averaging 29 yds
Newcomer OTY:  Dawson White, Sewanee, RB, FY:  490 yds/4TDs rushing, 19 receptions for 165 yds/2 TDs.
Coach OTY:  Brandon Lechtenberg, Millsaps (4-5/3-4 SAA)

First team SAA by school:  Berry 9, Trinity 5, Centre 3, Sewanee 3, Southwestern 3, Hendrix 2, Millsaps 1

[BSCpanthers]

OK SAA teams, it's playoff time.  Time to represent, I'll be cheering you all on, even if it is the team that kept us from the conference championship two years in a row. 

[tigerguy]

Pretty entertaining game so far in SA. Trinity has shot itself in the foot several times, and special teams is having a disaster of a day so far. Ryan Back stepping up in the pocket today rather than Tony Romo-ing each time has been nice to see and led to some great plays.

[tigerguy]

Trinity's special teams is losing the Tigers this game so far. Blocked punt that lead to TD; high snap that lead to missed field goal; bobbled hold that led to missed PAT; and now fumbled kickoff return. Incredibly sloppy and it has literally been the difference.

[tigerguy]

Back looked out of it on the last three plays and clearly hurt. I know you hate to send someone in fresh at end of game but he looked out of it. Urban used one timeout all game. Truly bizarre. Special teams ends up being the difference.

Great season and much better than my expectations. Good luck to the Cru.