SEGUIN, Texas - Despite a hard-fought effort on both sides of the ball, the East Texas Baptist University could not stop the Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs from scoring the game-winning touchdown as TLU seized a 28-21 victory in the final seconds. ETBU now has a record of 3-3 overall and are now 3-2 in the conference. 
 
From the ETBU offense perspective, Brian Baca completed 23-of-39 passes for 256 yards and three touchdown passes to Richard Johnson, who ended up catching nine receptions for 178 yards. Defensively, ETBU was led by Josiah Dykes, who collected 11 tackles on the day. TLU was led offensively by Austin Matthews, who compiled 149 yards on 33 carries, including three touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 62 yards in the air on five receptions from quarterback Kyle Grona, who finished 15-of-29 with 162 yards and one touchdown pass. On defense, DaKwa Davis led the way with 12 tackles while Jackson Worley forced two fumbles and Manny Longoria picked up two sacks. 
 
ETBU started the game with the ball as they would go three-and-out. TLU would take over and after completing a third-and-15 pass play, they would wind up scoring on a touchdown run six plays later to grab the early 7-0 lead. But ETBU would answer on their next drive as they chewed up 58 yards on 12 plays culminating with the first touchdown pass from Baca to Johnson from the one-yard-line literally. After holding TLU to three and out, ETBU struck again on three plays as Baca found Johnson wide open for 57 yards to lead 14-7. The Bulldogs would then take over and it was nine plays later that the quarter ended with a 14-7 Tiger lead.
 
On the tenth play of the drive to start the second, TLU tied the game at 14 from a second touchdown run by Matthews. For the rest of the half, neither team would find the end zone on seven combined possessions as both defenses stepped up to make big stops forcing the opposition to punt. Both sides were unable to get to the opposite territory as by halftime, the score remained tied. 
 
This stalemate continued into the third quarter as both squads started three-and-out on their first two possessions. After forcing TLU to another three-and-out, ETBU would get a first down run from Baca on their next possession. Three plays later, Baca and Johnson connected for 42 yards and the go-ahead score of 21-14. TLU would try to respond as they would drive to ETBU's 23-yard line. Electing to go for it on fourth down, the Bulldogs failed to complete the pass and ETBU took over. ETBU's next drive looked promising as they would get to TLU's territory. However, a false start put them back and they failed to get more yards as they would punt it away. After three quarters, ETBU maintained a 21-14 lead. 
 
Each of the next two drives started deep to the end zone as both sides avoided committing safeties. Yet, they still were forced to punt. ETBU would take over with eight minutes to play. Two minutes into the drive, the Tigers fumbled and TLU recovered with good field position. The momentum then swung in TLU's favor as the Bulldogs would capitalize with a touchdown pass from Grona to tie the game at 21. ETBU still had three minutes left and they would move the ball. But they were unable to get to midfield and were forced to punt. TLU took over and would score on a third Matthews' touchdown to grab the 28-21 lead. With eleven seconds left, ETBU was unable to reach midfield and the game was over.
 
ETBU will hit the road against next Saturday as they will look to retain the "Battle of the Border" claw against Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. Kickoff starts at 6:00 PM.