By Bradley Melchor
The Crusaders Football team traveled down to Seguin this weekend to take on the Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs in their second conference game, where they looked to build on the momentum from their successful opening weekend.
The Crusaders came flying out of the gate, with the defense forcing an early three and out on the Bulldogs opening drive. The Cru offense started the night off just as hot, putting together a 10 play, 56 yard opening drive that was punctuated by a 1 yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Isaac Phe to junior wide receiver Jerry Day. The Crusaders continued to dominate both sides of the ball through the rest of the quarter, allowing only three first downs and 38 yards of offense through the rest of the quarter, while the Crusaders offense poured in another 14 points courtesy of another Phe to Day connection for a 26 yard touchdown and a 1 yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Kenneth Cormier Jr.
Starting the 2nd quarter with a 21-0 lead, the Crusaders didn’t take their foot off the gas as Phe found senior tight end Will McClintock on a 4 yard touchdown pass to cap off another impressive drive that spanned 7 plays and 80 yards. The Bulldogs finally answered the Cru onslaught with a touchdown drive of their own , and a defensive stop that saw the Crusaders turn the ball over on downs. This small shift in momentum was snuffed out as soon as it began when sophomore linebacker Durand Hill picked off the TLU quarterback and returned the interception for a 65 yard touchdown to push the lead back up to 28 with 2:28 left in the quarter. This would be the last score of the half as UMHB took a commanding 34-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Crusaders continued to pile on the points in the second half as Phe found Day in the endzone for the third time on a 21 yard pass to finish off the opening drive of the half. Senior running back Ozias Wright also found the back of the endzone later in the 3rd quarter as he broke off an 86 yard touchdown run. The Crusaders defense continued to dominate as well, allowing just 16 yards and zero points in the entire 3rd quarter as the Cru took a 48-7 lead into the final quarter .
The Cru managed to tally one more touchdown in the 4th quarter, as senior quarterback Jackson Tingler found freshman tight end Christopher Gacayan for a 5 yard touchdown pass to push to lead to 55-7. The Bulldogs offense managed to generate two touchdowns in the closing minutes of the game, cutting the deficit by 14, but the Crusaders stood victorious at the final whistle as the game finished with a score of 55-21.
The Crusaders will return home this weekend as they host the visiting Sul Ross State University Lobos at 1 p.m Saturday at Crusader Stadium.
