UPLAND, IL - TIU traveled to Upland to take on their likeness, the Trojans of Taylor University.  TIU came away with a 48-7 defeat.

The Trojans came out of the locker room to start their game with an upset on their minds.  The game renewed an old rivalry that had not been played in over six years.  The two programs have much in common sharing mascots, Christian affiliations and even brothers.  David Wheeler a starting linebacker for our beloved Trinity Trojans took on his older brother Garrett Wheeler of Taylor.

Taylor took the early lead on their first possession of the game.  They marched the ball 72 yards on 11 plays capped by a 1 yard TD run.  The Trinity defense struggled to stop their rushing attack for most of the game as they gave up 275 yards on 44 carries.  Taylor converted a fake field goal for a two point conversion to take an 8-0 lead. 

The Trinity offense on the other hand struggled with nasty conditions the game was being played in.  Penalties and bad footing continually set the Trojans back creating 3^rd and long scenarios which the Trojans, for the most part, were unable to pick up.

On Taylor's second drive, they moved the ball with ease once again as they covered 59 yards in 6 plays to take a first quarter 14-0 lead.  This time, as the Trojans defense stacked the box to stop the run, the Trinity defense was beaten through the air capped by a 14 yard touchdown pass.  On the PAT Trinity blocked their 6^th kick of the season to hold Taylor to a 14-0 lead. 

In the second quarter the Trinity Offense was finally able to get a drive going as Daniel Beals (FR, Chicago IL) took to the ground.  After a couple first downs on Beals runs, the Trojans fumbled away their first scoring opportunity.

The Trinity fumble put their defense in a bad spot giving Taylor the ball on the TIU 45 yard line with a minute and a half remaining in the first half.  5 plays and 53 seconds later the Taylor running back scampered across the endzone line for the second time and gave them a 21-0 halftime lead. 

The TIU defense took the field to start the second half with hopes of getting back into the game.  However after the first drive it looked like more of the same for Trinity.  6 plays and 61 yards later Taylor found its way into the endzone for the fourth time on a 7 yard TD run.  Once again the Trojans would block the extra point for the seventh time this season.  Taylor would lead 27-0.

On the ensuing drive the TIU offense finally came to life.  Beals found Kyle Mowen(FR, Omond Beach, FL) on a 3^rd and 5 for 33 yards and a Trojan first down.  A couple plays later on 3^rd and 3 Daniel Beals ran the ball 23 yards for a touchdown putting the Trojans on the board for the first time today and cutting the lead to 27-7

After giving up a long kickoff return the Trojans defense took the field again in bad field position.  Taylor then marched 45 yards in 5 plays to put the game out of reach.  After the extra point Taylor lead 34-7. 

On TIU's next offensive drive all the momentum that the offense had gathered on their previous possession was taken away as Beals was tackled and injured his knee in the process.  As the trainers took him off the Trojan offense went stagnant for the rest of the game. 

Taylor would add two more touchdowns before the day was done.  One touchdown on an 8 play 86 yard drive and the other on a 53 yard punt return.  All in all, Trinity fell to Taylor 48-7 marking their ninth loss of the season. 

 

Of Note:  Pete Miller (Jr, Chicago IL) lead the Trojans in tackles with 10 solo tackles. 

 

TIU will next take on Malone University next Saturday at 5PM CST in Canton OH.