SEGUIN, Texas – Two straight weeks of a combined team effort by East Texas Baptist University led to another strong win in the American Southwest Conference as the Tigers held off Texas Lutheran University, 16-6. ETBU is now 4-3 and 3-1 in the ASC as the defense recorded two sacks and two interceptions.
 
"I'm really proud of the players. Today was another team win like last week. Two wins in a row and first win on the road this season is a huge confidence boost for these guys," said head coach Calvin Ruzicka.
 
Both teams matched up equally finishing with 334 yards of total offense. The difference came with ETBU's defense making the big stops when needed. Carlos Garibay threw for 201 yards going 17-of-29 with one touchdown. Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox had his second 100-yard receiving game of the year with 132 yards on five receptions and one touchdown. Kylin Jackson rushed for 82 yards on 14 carries and Paul Woodard provided 37 yards and a rushing touchdown.
 
The defense had 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions on the day as Jahkamian Carr led the way with 10 tackles (8 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and half a sack. Joey Verret followed with eight tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss with a break up. Keewan Grismore and Neiman Sullen both recorded interceptions as Parker Snow had a sack and Keegan Patty half a sack.
 
"The Offense made some big plays in the passing game with Carlos (Garibay) connecting with Trajan (Llanas-Wilcox) and Zay (Thomas) with the offensive line giving him time to throw as Paul (Woodard) and Kylin (Jackson) stepping up in the run game. The defense pitched a shutout for three quarters and made a very impressive goal line stand that resulted in a turnover on downs. That was really big for us along with getting a couple interceptions. Our special teams were special again with the punt team and kickoff team having great coverage and the return units doing a good job."
 
TLU started the game driving to ETBU's 18-yard line where the defense forced a 34-yard field goal attempt that was missed. It took only two minutes for ETBU to go 80-yards for the 7-0 lead. Llanas-Wilcox had two catches in the six-play drive with the final one for 53-yards from Garibay and the early lead at 9:50 mark. TLU's next two possessions were a three-and-out and then was stopped at midfield. ETBU couldn't get anything going in their two possessions after the touchdown and the defense forced another three-and-out to start the second quarter.
 
Taking over the ball with 13:41 to go in the second quarter, ETBU took almost six minutes off the clock going 69 yards as Pedro Cavazos made a 23-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 6:09 to go. Both teams had two more possessions in the second quarter but couldn't find any points. TLU drove to ETBU's 41-yard line with 12 seconds left in the half but two incomplete passes ended it with Tiger's leading, 10-0.
 
Coming out in the second half and taking command, ETBU held the ball for almost five minutes going 75-yards for a touchdown. Starting at their own 25-yard line, an eight-play drive led by Garibay ended in a Woodard eight-yard run as 35 yards of the drive came on the ground. The extra point  was blocked but ETBU had a commanding, 16-0, lead just five minutes into the second half. TLU's next two possessions were a three-and-out and a drive to their own 44-yard line. ETBU followed with a three-and-out that lead to a TLU drive and their only touchdown of the game. It was just one play that was 43-yards as they were denied the two-point attempt trailing, 16-6 (4:06). ETBU went three-and-out, again, as the momentum shifted to TLU who was driving to midfield when the third quarter ended.
 
TLU continued to drive down the field and had a first-and-goal from the three-yard line. A rush to the three-yard line set up a second-and-goal from the one-yard line. Grismore came through with a one-yard loss tackle and then Verret followed with another tackle for loss pushing the Bulldogs back to the three-yard line for a fourth-and-three. TLU opted to kick a 19-yard field goal that was missed as the defense made a big stand to keep it at 16-6. ETBU took three minutes off the clock only going to their 38-yard line but a 25-yard punt from Christian Piazza put the ball at the TLU 30-yard line. The defense held the Bulldogs holding them on a fourth-down try with three incomplete passes and a one-yard rush as ETBU took over with 4:28 left in the game on the TLU 30-yard line.
 
Two rushes and an incomplete pass attempt led to a 47-yard field goal attempt that failed with 2:48 to go. TLU ran a quick offense heading into ETBU territory. With a second-and-10 at ETBU's 30-yard line, Sullen picked off a pass in the end zone to end the TLU threat. ETBU took over at the 20-yard line but only took 29 seconds off the clock punting to TLU with one minute left. The Bulldogs took over at their own 45-yard line moving into ETBU territory at the 46-yard line. TLU completed a fourth-and-one and on the next play with nine seconds left, threw an interception as Grismore grabbed the ball to end the game.
 
ETBU will host Sul Ross State University next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. for their Homecoming game in Ornelas Stadium.