Tigers Fall to NAIA Azusa Pacific in Lopsided Game

San Antonio – Trinity's football team lost a 55-27 game to Azusa Pacific University of the NAIA on Saturday afternoon at E.M. Stevens Stadium.
The Tigers fall to 5-3 on the season and 0-2 in their history against Azusa Pacific. Trinity lost 30-14 to the Cougars in 2004.

Despite a penalty that erased a long touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage for Azusa Pacific, the visitors still got on the board quickly against Trinity. Azusa took a 7-0 lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass just 1:43 into the game.

The Tigers were able to answer on their next drive, but had to settle for a field goal from Garrett Biel. Biel came into the game tied for the national lead in field goals per game, hitting 2-2 in today's loss.

Azusa had another quick score on a 52-yard pass play on its next drive, then added another touchdown late in the first quarter to take a 21-3 lead after the first fifteen minutes of play.

Trinity scored its first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter, but it took Azusa just over a minute to score again to make it 28-10.

By halftime, Azusa had opened up a 38-17 lead over Trinity, and the second half's opening kickoff was fumbled to give the ball back to the visitors. The Tigers came up with an interception, though, then drove down for Biel's second field goal to make it 38-20.

Azusa scored on its next two possessions to take the game into the fourth quarter with a commanding 52-20 lead.

Trinity's offense put up 371 total yards, but Azusa gained over 500 yards offensively in the win.

Chris Baer led the team in both rushing and receiving in the game, totaling 178 yards for the Tigers. He finished with 73 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, and also caught seven passes for 105 yards and another score.

Robert Davidson had one of his best games as the starting QB for Trinity, completing 20-35 through the air for 243 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Jonathan Alexander and Anthony Cockrell finished with seven tackles each to lead Trinity's defense.

Trinity resumes SCAC play next weekend, hosting Centre College during Trinity's Alumni Weekend. The 2009 class of the Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducted at halftime.