SAN ANTONIO, Texas - In a game that came down to the final play a year ago, Birmingham-Southern and Trinity (Texas) played an equally exciting game coming down to the last minute of the game.

Neither team scored on their opening drive but both recorded at least one first down. Trinity go the scoring started on their second drive after a quick five play, 59-yard drive that lasted 2:39. A 17-yard pass capped off the drive. Birmingham-Southern quickly answered the Tigers score with a three play, 75-yard drive. Two 25-plus yard plays propelled the Panthers to level the score 7-7. A pass from Matt McClary to Lionel Grant III put the Panthers on the Trinity side of the field, the very next play Jon Lewis broke a 30-yard touchdown run. 

Trinity took a three-point lead after a drive that started in the first quarter concluded with a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter. Both teams traded possessions, before BSC got the ball back and went on a scoring drive to tie the game. A long methodical 11 play, 69-yard drive resulting in a 26-yard field goal tied the game for the Panthers. 

The BSC defense came up big not allowing Trinity to score on a two-minute drill and the two teams went to the half tied. 

The third quarter was a defensive battle with only seven points being scored in the period. Trinity struck quickly on to take a seven point lead. A 24-yard touchdown pass put the Tigers up and with some momentum late in the game. 

A quick three-and-out by the Panthers gave Trinity even more momentum. The Tigers maintained a long and steady drive and got down inside the BSC 10-yard line. On a first and goal play Birmingham-Southern got momentum back on their side as Jett Wilson intercepted a pass in the end zone to give the Panthers the ball back late in the third quarter. 

BSC did not capitalize on the turnover, but on their next possession cut the lead from seven to four. Zach Ford made his second field goal of the day to cut the deficit to 17-13. The Panthers gained more momentum after forcing Trinity to go three-and-out losing 11 yards on the drive. 

They used that to go down and score a touchdown and take a 20-17 lead over the fifth ranked Tigers. A touchdown run from one yard out capped off the drive. With 1:07 left in the game Birmingham-Southern's defense was looking to make a stand by keeping Trinity off the scoreboard. 

The Tigers worked their way down the field, but BSC held strong getting them to fourth down. On a fourth and five play from the BSC 43 yard-line Trinity struck gold and hit a receiver for a touchdown and took a 23-20 lead with 13 seconds left. BSC was unable to get down the field and tie the game, and lost 23-20.

Records
Birmingham-Southern (3-1 Overall, 1-1 SAA), #5 Trinity (Texas) (5-0, 2-0 SAA)

Up next
Birmingham-Southern will host Millsaps for their homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m.