ABERDEEN, S.D. --- The Trinity International University football team snapped their 13-game losing streak on Saturday night as they took down the Presentation College Saints by a score of 28-26 in a thrilling season opening performance.
It was a sluggish start for the Trojans (1-0) in the first quarter as they struggled to break into Saints territory. Meanwhile, Presentation (0-1) jumped out early with two field goals from 35 and 31 yards out to go ahead 6-0 in the first quarter.
As the second quarter began, the Saints scored the game's first touchdown on a pass from quarterback Hunter Giffrow to Trey Pajimula to put Presentation up 13-0 after a converted PAT. In the final minutes of the half, the Trojans cracked the scoreboard as quarterback Darrius Henderson found senior wide receiver Jimmy Campbell on a 46 yard strike for a touchdown. After a failed two-point conversion, the Saints took a 13-6 lead into the halftime break.
TIU made a change at quarterback entering the third quarter as freshman Krenston Kaipo took over behind center. Five minutes into the second half, Kaipo finished off an eight play, 58 yard drive with a quarterback keep on fourth and goal at the Saints one yard line by finding the endzone. Carter Andrade's converted PAT kick tied the game at 13.Â
Presentation responded two minutes later with their own goal line strike to retake the lead. But the Trojans, on an ensuing four minute drive struck back as Kaipo scored his second rushing touchdown of the night on a first and goal play at the one yard line. A failed two-point conversion rusn by Campbell kept the Trojans behind by one point entering the final period of play, 20-19.
TIU quickly made up the missed two points as the fourth quarter began. Just five seconds into the final frame of action, the Saints who were pinned back at their own five yard line after a fumble recovery in the closing seconds of the third quarter, Giffrow was taken down in the endzone for a safety to put the Trojans up 21-20.
On the following drive, TIU added some insurance as Kaipo found Campbell for his second receiving touchdown of the game. Andrade's extra point gave the Trojans a 28-20 lead. Presentation responded on the next drive with a 94 yard touchdown pass from Giffrow to Theryne Jimenez to put the Saints at the Trojans heels. However, the Saints game-tying two point conversion attempt failed as Pajimula was stopped by the TIU defense. The Trojan defense held the Saints scoreless for the remainder of the game as TIU held on for the 28-26 win.
Despite two late interceptions, Kaipo finished the night 5-15 passing, for 117 yards and one touchdown through the air. Derek Lowe led TIU on the ground with 66 yards on 12 carries, while Campbell's two receiving touchdowns came on just four catches for 100 yards.
The Trojans hit the road for the second consecutive week as they take on the St. Thomas Tommies in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 7 at 1:00 PM.
Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.
