DEERFIELD, Ill. - With nearly 700 yards of total offense, Trinity International looked to move the ball at will on Saturday afternoon, earning a 55-21 victory over the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors.
Box Score | Season Stats
Senior wideout
Alex Johns-Moore had a career day, totaling 130 yards on four receptions, with three touchdowns that helped build a big lead for the Trojans (1-1). On the ground, Trinity saw two rushers surpass the century mark, as sophomore
Isaac Branch collected 120 yards on 20 carries. Freshman Quintin Reeder, who came into the game for the first time in the fourth quarter, rushed for 113 yards on just six attempts.
Despite being held scoreless in the first quarter, Trinity moved the ball on their opening drive until a fumble at the WLC 20 yardline killed the team's first scoring opportunity. Johns-Moore made his first TD catch of the day early in the 2nd quarter, from 20 yards out to put TIU in front 7-0. After the Trojan defense stalled out the Warrrior drive,
Jeremiah Carter converted a 41-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead on Trinity's next possession.
With just over six minutes remaining in the first half, the Trojans pounced again. A nine-play, 80-yard drive was capped with a 40-yard touchdown pass from
J.J. Burmeister to Johns-Moore continued to extend the lead, and after another 3-and-out from the TIU defense, Trinity regained possession at midfield with 1:07 still on the clock. A screen pass to Branch resulted in a 16-yard touchdown reception with just 40 seconds remaining, giving Trinity a 24-0 lead at the break.
On their first drive of the second half, Wisconsin Lutheran lost a fumble after crossing midfield, recovered by senior linebacker
Riley Schussler. Trinity took advantage, as Johns-Moore scored his third TD of the day, on an even-longer 59-yard reception. The Warriors would respond with their first score of the day on their next drive, but Burmeister's 13-yard scamper would pad the lead, 38-7 at the end of the third quarter.
With a big lead in hand and the clock winding down, a number of Trojans saw time on the field to close out the win. Reeder, who saw his first carry with just over ten minutes left to play, broke a 70-yard TD run on his second touch of the day, stretching the lead to 52-14. The visitors would get one more touchdown on the board before time expired, as Trinity secured a final score of 55-21.
Burmeister finished the day 9-for-13 passing, with 195 yards and four touchdowns. The Homestead, Fla. native also finished as the team's third-highest rusher, collecting 82 yards and one TD on seven carries.
The Trojan defense, which held Wisconsin Lutheran scoreless on their first eight possessions, recorded its second straight game with less than 100 rushing yards allowed. Linebacker
Mauricio Portillo led the team with 12 tackles on the day, while
Godfrey Collins II collected two of the team's four sacks.
The Trojans will take next week off, before travelling to face NCAA Division I foe Valparaiso on Saturday, September 17. Kickoff with the Crusaders is set for 1:00 p.m. CDT.