GAME 6:   Trinity 27, Saint James 0

September 29, 1989  Collier Field.   Game Conditions:   Drizzle to steady rain.  Game temperature:  70  Wind:  Light

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Saint James could not overcome the 230 plus yard rushing of visiting Trinity, led by the 123 yards of Steve McCulloch, and the weather was nearly as dreary as the Trojans' offensive output in a 27 - 0 Wildcat victory.

Trinity started off quickly with a 33 yard kickoff return by Jason Adams.  A 16 yard pass reception for Adams three plays later was followed by 13 yard first down runs each by Kevin Hill and McCulloch.  However, from the Trojan six, McCulloch fumbled and the Trojans recovered to stop the early drive.  Saint James did pick up a first down on the ground, but only managed 17 yards on 6 plays.  The punt attempt was deflected out of bounds and the Wildcats were back in business at the Trojan 30.  On fourth and 7 from the 27, McCulloch was stopped for only a 5 yard gain, and Saint James had held their ground again deep in their territory.

In a game where it was "quarterback by committee", as several Trojans were replacing the injured Wade Hartley, two incomplete passes and a short run forced another punt.  This time, from their own 47, the Wildcats would not be denied.  A 3 yard run by McCulloch, an 11 yard reception by Adams, and a 39 yard touchdown pass from Matt Tinney to Hill had Trinity in the endzone.  The extra point failed, but Trinity was up 6 - 0 late in the first quarter.

After another three and out for Saint James, Trinity took over on their own 32.  Nine plays later, on fourth down from the Trojan 32, McCulloch was stopped two yards short of a first down and the Trojans had held again deep in Wildcat territory.  However, the Trojans could not move the ball again, and the ensuing punt returner was downed at the Trinity 36.  From there, Tinney found Jason Adams wide open down the sidelines and he cruised into the endzone on the first play of the drive.  Josh Hall, starting fullback, was rewarded for his work with a two point reception from Tinney and the Wildcat lead was 14 - 0 late in the first half.

On the next drive, the Trojans were lucky to have what should have been a Wildcat pass interception ruled "out of bounds" on the first play, but two more plays only gained three yards.  Mickey Pittman boomed a punt, thanks to a well-timed gust of wind, down to the Wildcat 15 yard line.  Trinity was held, and Saint James still had 18 seconds on the clock after the Wildcat punt, the only one of the evening, was shanked out of bounds.  From the Trinity 37, the Trojans opted for a reverse pass which was intercepted and returned to just short of midfield.  With only four seconds remaining, Trinity tried their own "Hail Mary" play, but it was intercepted by Jeff George and the halftime lead remained 14.

Saint James threw another interception on their first scrimmage play of the third quarter, but six plays later, Trinity returned the favor by fumbling.  An 11 yard pass completion from Arch Lee to Billy Byrd, and a defensive pass interference penalty on the next play finally had the Trojans moving.  However, a botched handoff on the following play was picked up by a Trinity defender and returned to the Trojan 31.  Once again though, the Trojan defense toughened as they stopped Tinney for a one yard gain on a fourth down and two from the nine.  However, Saint James could not gain yardage and the punt from deep inside their own territory gave Trinity fine field position at the Saint James 33.  Five plays later, on the first play of the final quarter, the fullback Hall took a handoff nine yards up the middle for what seemed to be the clinching touchdown.  Par Nilsson's extra point attempt was successful this time, and the Wildcats were up by 21 with just under 12 minutes remaining.

The next Trojan possession ended with an interception and a long return which was negated by a clipping penalty.  From the Trojan 46, however, it took Trinity only four plays to score their final touchdown.  McCulloch, on his final carry of the game, scored his only touchdown from 28 yards out.  On a busted extra point kick attempt, an impromptu two point pass attempt fell incomplete, and the scoring was finalized at 27 - 0.

The Trojans got as close as the Trinity 37 on their final drive, but a fourth down sack and a personal foul penalty tacked on gave Trinity the ball and they ran out the remaining 6-plus minutes of the final quarter to cement their victory.

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