Through two games, the Southwestern University Pirates football team has picked up where it left off last season, scoring at least 50 points in the last two games of 2018 and a combined 97 through the first two games of this season.
This week, the Pirates will put that streak on the line on the road against the Texas Lutheran University (TLU) Bulldogs, who will be looking to avenge a 59-35 loss in the final game of the 2018 season.
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History: This is the ninth meeting between the two programs with Southwestern leading the all-time series 5-3, including one win in the program's first iteration in 1940. The Pirates currently own a four-game win streak over TLU.
Last year, the Pirate defense forced three punts and picked off a pass on the Bulldogs' first four possessions, opening the game with a 21-0 lead and forcing TLU to abandon its run.
On defense, the Bulldogs stacked the box to contain the run; a tactic quarterback Frederick Hover exploited by breaking almost every school passing record, completing 30-of-44 for 443 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver David Brandenburg was Hover's primary target, pulling down 12 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns.
Season to Date: Texas Lutheran opened its season with a 26-23 loss to the Hendrix Warriors on a 31-yard field goal as time expired. TLU dominated time of possession but committed 14 penalties for 150 yards and surrendered 283 passing yards.
The Bulldogs bounced back on the road against East Texas Baptist University, rushing for 273 yards and getting three touchdowns from sophomore quarterback Wade Freeman, earning him the ASC Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
Southwestern is 2-0 with both games decided well before the first half of each contest. The defense has been dominant with 10 starters returning and a powerful running game has driven a Pirate offense guided by a slew of young quarterbacks.
Scouting: Saturday's matchup features the first and third best rushing offenses in the ASC. The Pirates are currently fourth in the nation at 339 yards per game and Texas Lutheran is ranked eighth at 291.5.
Though both feature the run heavily, they go about it in different ways. The Pirates feature an option offense unique to the ASC, distributing carries among a deep brigade of quarterbacks, running backs, and slot receivers.
Defenses know the run is coming with the Pirates, though often have trouble deciphering where it's coming from. Backup quarterback Landry Gilpin leads the team with 162 yards, followed by running back Elijah Smith, and receiver David Brandenburg.
The Bulldogs unleash a monster trio of running backs through multiple, unbalanced formations.
Ian Leslie (88.5), Chris Monroe (83.5), and Austin Mathews (81.5) each average at least 80 rushing yards per game with Mathews doubling as a dangerous returner in special teams to sit at second in the ASC in all-purpose yards.
"Whichever team runs the football will be in control," Head Coach Joe Austin said. "It'll be a challenge for us to recognize their formations and match it with our personnel and alignments to make sure we're in the right place at the right time."
Southwestern has been in the right place more often than not this season, surrounding only one touchdown after a turnover put the defense on a short field. The Pirates are currently first in the ASC in rush defense, limiting opponents to just 49.5 yards per game.
Defense end Garrett Womack leads the team with four tackles for losses, disrupting the line of scrimmage while linebacker Hayden Smith flies to the ball for a team-high 13 total tackles.
If Southwestern can build an early lead, limit the run, or otherwise make the TLU offense more one-dimensional, it could put pressure on sophomore quarterback Wade Freeman.
In two career starts, Freeman hasn't been asked to do much but has been effective in what the coaches have tasked him with, completing 68.8 percent of his passes with three touchdowns on 134.0 passing yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs have held the Pirates under their rushing average in each of the past three seasons. Texas Lutheran boasts two preseason All-Americans in junior safety James Bell and senior defensive end Manny Longoria.
"The've probably does as good a job at run defense against us as anyone," Austin said. "James Bell is a very good safety and Longoria is a fast, physical defensive end. As a group, they've done a very good job of it."
In the past, the run defense has come at the expense of unleashing the Pirates' aerial attack; though the Pirates did have Hover, an All-ASC quarterback, at the helm.
Like his TLU counterpart, Coleman Kerr hasn't been asked to throw often but has been effective when he has, completing 6-of-9 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns in his first start last week. First year Landry Gilpin provides a nice change of pace, giving the Pirates a more dynamic runner behind center with a team-high 162 yards.
But mostly, the Pirates have asked the quarterbacks to make simple plays, relying on the experience of its veteran receivers. After lighting up TLU last year, Brandenburg has been the Pirates' primary weapon with 81 yards rushing and 152 receiving with two touchdowns.
"If they commit seven in the box, you've got to be able to pass the football," Austin said. "So far, we've done a good job of targeting David Brandenburg and Anfernee Stephens in space and the experience of those guys have made it easier on our quarterbacks."