By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director
SEGUIN, Texas — The young Centenary football team fell 31-8 in its Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference opener Saturday evening against the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs at Bulldog Stadium.
The Gents (0-2) were back in action after their season-opening loss at home to Hendrix College in their first varsity football game since the late 1940s. Centenary’s outing in Texas was its first league game as an NCAA Division III program.
Texas Lutheran (2-0) remained undefeated after a season-opening upset win over nationally-ranked Trinity.
TLU took an early 3-0 lead as Joaquin Rodriguez connected on a 34-yard field goal with 10:50 on the clock in the first quarter to cap a six-play, 26-yard drive started after a blocked punt. Following another three-and-out possession by the Gents, the Bulldogs went up 10-0 when Caden Bosanko hit Henry Lavonta on a 50-yard pass with 8:18 showing.
Bosanko’s 31-yard TD run less than four minutes later made it 17-0. A scoreless second quarter followed as the Gents’ defense stepped up and forced a pair of punts and sophomore defensive back Bryan Washington had an interception.
Centenary couldn’t convert a pair of field goals before the Bulldogs took their 17-0 lead into the locker room.
TLU went on a seven-play, 70-yard drive to open the second half and cashed in as Bosanko scored on an eight-yard run to lead 24-0.
The Gents got on the board on their ensuing possession as junior Josh Ware, a Southwood product, found the end zone from four yards out and Centenary made a two-point conversion on a Bobby Shanklin Jr. reception.
The next two possessions resulted in turnovers by each team as freshman defensive back Delarrious Marshall from Green Oaks High recovered Bosanko’s fumble forced by sophomore lineman Kris Mesloh of Parkway, but Centenary suffered an interception.
Three possessions later, Mesloh blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt. Early in the fourth quarter, TLU scored its final TD of the game on a 28-yard run.
The Bulldogs ran for 287 yards and threw for 142. The Gents had 43 rushing yards and 169 through the air.
Mississippi Valley State transfer Kobe Chambers led Centenary with 5 catches for 67 yards.
Demetrus Gladney Jr. from Haughton High was the Gents’ top defender, posting 7 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a QB hurry.
The Gents play the second of three straight road games next Saturday at Austin College.
Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu