SEGUIN, Texas -- For the second time this season, Texas Lutheran linebacker
Malik Johnson (Paris/Paris) returned two interceptions for touchdowns, breaking the Texas Lutheran single-season pick-six record with four in just five games this season as the Bulldogs beat Lyon College 34-12Â for homecoming on Saturday at Bulldog Stadium.
Johnson had a pick-six in each half on Saturday to break the single-season record. The record was previously held by Kyle McNally (3, 2011). Texas Lutheran, who entered Saturday leading the country across all levels in interceptions, finished with four interceptions on Saturday, their second game with at least four this season. Johnson accounted for three of the interceptions with
Christian Pierre (Fredericksburg, VA/Dutchtown) adding his first career interception.
The Bulldogs improve to 4-1 on the season and extended their winning streak to four games and home winning streak to five games in the process.
Despite being heavy favorites, Texas Lutheran led only 16-10 at halftime before
Elijah Favela (Converse/Judson) connected with
Ja'Mare Nichols (San Antonio/Roosevelt) for a 61-yard touchdown pass and
Malik Johnson returned his second pick six of the night to quickly turn the game on its head early in the second half.
Texas Lutheran utilized all three quarterbacks,
a rotation that was spotlighted earlier this week by D3football.com, on Saturday with Favela leading the group by finishing 7-for-12 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown.
Johnathan Pompey (Killeen/Shoemaker) carried the ball 20 times for the Bulldogs for 102 yards and a touchdown while
Jonathan Flores (Edinburg/Robert Vela) added 65 yards on the ground for a TLU rushing attack that ran for 233 yards on Saturday.
Sebastian Walker (San Antonio/Veterans Memorial) led the TLU defense with nine tackles while
Troy Tomaselli (San Antonio/Cornerstone Christian) and
Travonne Woodley (Killeen/Shoemaker) added seven tackles each.
At halftime of Saturday's game, the Bulldogs recognized the newest members of the TLU Athletics Hall of Fame: former TLU Softball players, Taylor Grissom '16 and Taylor Yancey '16, former TLU men's golfer Adam Peterson '15 and former TLU women's tennis player Sofia Vega '16 in a halftime ceremony. Texas Lutheran also recognized the 1976 AIAW Volleyball National Championship team for their 50th anniversary.
Following a bye week next Saturday, Texas Lutheran will prepare to open SCAC play as the Hendrix College Warriors travel to Seguin on Oct. 17 in what will be a highly anticipated matchup following last year's instant classic. Kickoff is set for 1 PM. The game will be broadcast on FloCollege. All streaming and live stats links will be available on tlubulldogs.com.
For more information on Texas Lutheran football, follow the Bulldogs on X (Twitter) and Instagram (@TLU_Football) and as always you can find updates on all Texas Lutheran athletics on tlubulldogs.com and all official TLU social media channels (@tluathletics on X (Twitter,) @tlu_athletics on Instagram, and @tlubulldogs on Facebook).
