Road Win

This past Saturday the Bulldogs traveled 6+ hours to Marshall, Texas to play the East Texas Baptist University Tigers. Going there we knew we would be in a dog fight so preparation throughout the week was key if we had any chances of winning. We departed on Friday around 8:30 a.m. to Tyler, Texas where the team grubbed and went to a couple of movies. It was a bonding experience that turned out fruitful because the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs came back from a 14-0 score at the end of the first quarter to beat the ETBU Tigers 44-34. It was an outstanding TEAM performance. Our defense stepped up when we were needed along with our offense being more productive in good field position. Even more impressive was our special team guys who caused a good number of big plays including a 4th down conversion that went about 40 yards, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and setting up great field position the entire night. We had some adversity early on being down by 14 but we stuck it out and kept fighting. In the end, after the fat lady sang her last note, the scoreboard shown us to be victorious. This was a key victory for the Bulldogs. It was not only the first road win for the Texas Lutheran University football program in about 4 or 5 years, but it was our first game in conference play. Our number of wins in conference determines if we make it to the NAIA DIII playoffs in November represting the American Southwest Conference. Also it was nice that we won our first road trip my freshman year. The experience of the bus ride is not like any other. We also stayed in a hotel which was also a first for me. The team became closer making playing on the field easier. I'm hoping we can keep this streak going because we honestly shouldn't lose to anyone. We have the talent to play for the national championship so I won't be settling for less. Our theme this week is commitment, so practice is going to be intense and fast-paced. Our hardwork in practice paid off so the coaches will be pushing us to our limits. Those who keep going even though they are tired really "love the game", so at the end of the day it will be well worth it in the end. Well. Over and out.

Our First Lost

Adjusting to college isn't as hard as adjusting to college football after a lost. Especially a lost that you should have won and adjusting from a team who never loses to a program where losing wasn't uncommon. I never handled losing well so I'm always opposed to laying down and rolling over as a team tramples all over us. The only thing we can do now is learn from our mistakes and get better. Our coaches stressed that they didn't prepare us enough which could have been the case but I think we just needed to execute what we were taught. We also could have called some better plays to adjust the fronts that their coaches were reading. I know its only one lost but it was unnecessary. Since this is my first week of practice after a lost I do not know what to expect. Im hoping it's a bit more rigorous and focused so our training won't be wasted. Playing football is honestly a sacrifice you make for your team. Going to practice, lifting weights, and all the other things we do all take up what little time we have for our studies. To be playing for a D3 school really means you "love the game" because there's no football scholarship so we have to keep our grades pretty high. This becomes alot of work, so time management is key when trying to balance everything. It's bitter-sweet that we are required to have study hall but I find that I get alot of homework and reading accomplished. Hopefully my end of the semester grades reflect all the work and sacrifices I did to succeed academically. I just know football is a big part of me so in the end all the struggles are worth it. There's nothing like being on the field balling out infront of a crowd screaming and yelling after a big play you just made or a touchdown you just scored. It's a tough sport that's why only a few can endure it. As for us Bulldogs, all we can do is head back to the drawing board and come up with something that works. Well. Over and out.