2014 Southwestern Football
Southwestern Pirates (1-4)
vs. Trinity Tigers (1-5)
Saturday | October 18 | 6 p.m. | Tiger Stadium (Directions) | San Antonio, Texas (Weather)
VIDEO/AUDIO: KMAC Sports (link)
Merle Bertrand (play-by-play), Johnny Baeza (color analyst)
LIVE STATS: Trinity Live Stats
THE GAME
The Pirates and Tigers enter Saturday on very similar paths with just one win on the season for both squads coming against Sul Ross State. Two young squads will match up in a rivalry game that does not count in the conference standings.
THE SERIES
Southwestern and Trinity is one of the most even series played in the Pirate football annuals with SU holding an 11-10-2 advantage … Last season the Tigers took both meetings including a 30-0 shutout in Georgetown, however the second game in San Antonio was much closer despite the 58-20 final score … Saturday will be a non-conference meeting between the teams with the official SCAC game coming Nov. 8 in Georgetown
THE COACHES
Joe Austin (Concordia-St. Paul '01)
Austin is in his fifth year as a head coach and second at Southwestern after spending the previous four seasons at Hanover College where he led the Panthers to back-to-back second place finishes in the HCAC. He was also the offensive coordinator at the University of Dubuque after spending time at Augsburg College and his alma mater, Concordia-St. Paul.
Jerheme Urban (Trinity '03)
Urban is in his first season with the Tigers after serving as an assistant coach for his alma mater for two seasons. The former Tiger was a standout under long-time head coach Steve Mohr and helped Trinity reach the Stagg Bowl (NCAA III Championship game) in 2002. Urban played nine seasons in the NFL after graduating from Trinity before returning to coach at his alma mater.
QUICK HITS
• The Pirates and Tigers will lock as two of the top defenses in the SCAC. While Southwestern is allowing just at 400 yards per game, Trinity is holding opponents to just 328 yards per game.
• Both secondary's on Saturday will be on the prowl as the Pirates try to improve on their league best nine interceptions while Trinity is close behind with six picks on the year. The Pirates' Nik Kelly and the Tigers' Jai Boatman both rank second in the SCAC with three interceptions and have been key players on the defensive side of the ball for each team. Kelly also leads the SCAC and ranks 4th in the nation in passes defended.
• While the interceptions have started to tally up for both Southwestern and Trinity, the pressure starts on the defensive line as Justin Broussard ranks second in sacks and first in tackles for a loss. Broussard added 1.0 sack and 4.5 tackles for a loss on Saturday to improve his totals for the season – 5.5 sacks (2nd SCAC – 29th NCAA III) and 13 tackles for a loss (1st SCAC – 7th NCAA III). The defensive end for Southwestern also leads the nation in forced fumbles after forcing his fourth of the season.
• After having success through the air in the first half of the season, Dylan Wilburn has quietly rushed for over 100-yards in each of the last two games. Wilburn – who was injured in the first two games – has returned to rush for 137 yards against Austin College and 105 yards last week against Oklahoma Panhandle State and one touchdown.
• Southwestern currently ranks second in the SCAC in passing offense, however the Pirates have been unable to make that translate on the scoreboard. The Pirate offense will again be tested against a solid Tiger secondary that leads the SCAC in passing yards allowed.
• As previously mentioned both team's secondary's have been impressive this season, however the Pirates will have their work cut-out for them. Trinity leads the SCAC in fewest passes intercepted just throwing three picks on the season.