Final Score: Trinity 24, Pacific Lutheran 6
Location: Trinity Multipurpose Stadium, San Antonio, TX
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Attendance: Not found in available sources
Conferences: Trinity (Southern Athletic Association, D-III) vs. Pacific Lutheran (Northwest Conference, D-III)
Game Recap & Photos: Alfredo Vazquez
Version en Espanol, Aqui
Trinity Takes the Ball Away From Pacific Lutheran for a Third Straight Win
Trinity 24, Pacific Lutheran 6 — Week 3, 2026 Season
Some games get won with highlight-reel plays. This one got won by simply refusing to give the ball back. Trinity kept Pacific Lutheran’s offense on the sideline for most of the night and walked away with a lopsided 24-6 win, pushing the Tigers to a perfect 3-0 record on the season.
The setup: control the clock, control the game
There was no late drama here, and none was needed. Trinity set a grinding pace from the opening whistle, holding the ball for 41 minutes and 27 seconds out of 60 — nearly triple the 18:33 Pacific Lutheran got to work with. By the time the third quarter wound down, the scoreboard already told the story: 24-0.
A three-back rushing attack and a defense that gave nothing away
Rather than leaning on one featured back, Trinity split the workload three ways. Luke Sams was the most productive with 63 yards on 10 carries, Jamel Nickerson added 55 yards and crossed the goal line on 12 carries, and Jason Love rounded out the trio with 52 yards on 13 attempts. Quarterback Welker Horn got in on the scoring himself with a rushing touchdown, while his counterpart at the position, Hondo Franklin, handled things through the air about as cleanly as possible: 7-of-8 passing for 70 yards, capped by a touchdown connection with tight end Chase Ravain.
On the other side of the ball, Trinity’s defense was the real story of the night. Diego Davila finished with 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble; TJ Scannell chipped in 9 tackles and got to the opposing quarterback twice; and Judson Crockett picked off a pass and blocked his third punt of the season. The bottom line: just 217 total yards allowed, and a mere 24 rushing yards on 13 carries for the Lutes.
As for Pacific Lutheran’s lone touchdown of the night — it didn’t come from a well-executed offensive play. It came because the Lutes scooped up a fumble Trinity had lost near its own goal line, meaning the visitors’ only score traced back to a Tigers mistake rather than anything Pacific Lutheran built on its own.
The numbers behind the story
Trinity: Luke Sams — 63 yards on 10 carries. Jamel Nickerson — 55 yards and 1 touchdown on 12 carries. Jason Love — 52 rushing yards plus 3 catches for 39 receiving yards. Hondo Franklin — 7-of-8, 70 yards, 1 touchdown pass. Welker Horn — 1 rushing touchdown. Diego Davila — 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble. TJ Scannell — 9 tackles. Judson Crockett — 1 interception, 1 blocked punt.
Pacific Lutheran: Anthony Mahaffey — 16-of-37, 193 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; plus 28 rushing yards on 6 carries. Dayton Savea — 5 receptions, 55 yards. Mason Taylor-Wells — 15 tackles, the game’s highest total. Connor Nauta — 10 tackles.
Looking ahead
This win confirms Trinity doesn’t need one standout player to get it done: spread the rushing load, protect the football, and let the defense suffocate the opponent. The Tigers now shift their focus to Southern Athletic Association play, where that same formula will need to keep working.
FAQs
What was the final score of the Trinity vs. Pacific Lutheran game on September 19, 2026? Trinity beat Pacific Lutheran 24-6 at Trinity Multipurpose Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
What actually decided the game? Trinity’s total command of time of possession (41:27 to 18:33) never let Pacific Lutheran sustain a real offensive drive.
Where did Pacific Lutheran’s only touchdown come from? A fumble recovery near Trinity’s goal line — not an offensive play by the Lutes.
What conferences do both teams play in? Trinity plays in the Southern Athletic Association and Pacific Lutheran in the Northwest Conference; both are Division III programs.
