Box Score UPLAND, Ind. - The TIU Football team found themselves in a 13-13 battle with fellow MSFA member Taylor University, but it was Taylor who pulled away late defeating the Trojans 33-19 on Saturday evening.

Special Teams played a factor early on in the contest, as Taylor got on the board early after a blocked punt led to a seven yard scoop and score gave TU the early lead. The Trojan offense was shutdown on their opening possession, going three and out before the blocked punt. From that point on the TU took the lead and would never trail throughout the remainder of the game.

The Trojans though got right back into the game on the ensuing possession, and in a hurry. On the first play of the following drive Quarterback Danny Mattero found fellow Senior and California native Brad Hargis for a 62 yard strike down the sideline. The pass set up Isaac Branch to run in his third touchdown of the season to make it a 7-6 game.

The scoring continued between the two teams as Taylor found the end zone on the following possession after a 38 yard Touchdown pass from Evan Pollard to Nick Lamica made it a 13-6 game after the failed PAT.

Mattero and the Trojans could not muster anything on offense in the remainder of the first quarter, but the Senior would lead a Touchdown drive to open the second frame to tie the game at 13. Mattero and Branch anchored the Trojan drive, each putting up nearly 20 rushing yards a piece to set up the score. Mattero eventually found the end zone connecting with Jimmy Campbell from 15 yards out, bringing the game to a 13-13 deadlock.

From that point on the offensive attack of Taylor was too much for Trojans as TU rattled off 20 consecutive points making it a 33-13 game. Linell Gaston ran in his third touchdown of the year for TIU just late in the fourth quarter to make it 33-19.

Defensively for TIU, it was Senior Mauricio Portillo and Junior Bradley Mowbray who led the way for the Trojans. Mowbray finished with 11 total tackles on the evening including two tackles for loss, while Portillo chipped in 10 tackles of his own.

The Trojans look to rebound next weekend when they hit the road and head to Bourbonnais Illinois to take on Olivet Nazarene on Saturday 9/30.