D3-CFB Game Preview: Trinity (TX) Tigers (0-0) vs. Texas Lutheran Bulldogs (0-0)

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Game Overview

Date & Time: Thursday, September 4, 2025 – Kickoff 5:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Bulldog Stadium, 1109 W. Kingsbury Street, Seguin, TX 78155

Surface: Artificial Turf

Broadcast: YouTube (via Texas Lutheran Athletics)

Weather Report (Seguin, TX – Kickoff)

Conditions: Mostly sunny, hot early evening

Temperature: ~92°F (33°C) at kickoff, cooling into the low 80s by the 4th quarter

Wind: Light, ~6–8 mph from the southeast

Precipitation:

Impact: Heat could test depth and conditioning, especially for high‑tempo offensive series

Injury Report

Trinity (TX): No major injuries reported entering opener under head coach Jerheme Urban

Texas Lutheran: No major injuries reported; head coach Carl Gustafson returns a healthy roster

Recent Team Form (End of 2024)

Trinity – Last 5 Games

L 22–29 vs Mary Hardin‑Baylor (NCAA Playoffs)

W 38–24 @ Millsaps

W 34–7 vs Southwestern (TX)

W 26–7 @ Hendrix

W 38–35 (OT) vs Berry

Texas Lutheran – Last 5 Games

L 3–65 @ Linfield (NCAA Playoffs)

W 17–10 (OT) vs Southwestern (TX)

W 46–23 @ Centenary (LA)

W 45–10 vs Lyon College

W 28–6 vs McMurry

Key Player Matchups

Trinity QB vs. TLU Secondary

Trinity’s offense averaged over 35 PPG in 2024; their QB efficiency will be tested by a Bulldogs secondary that forced multiple turnovers in last year’s upset win.

TLU QB vs. Trinity Pass Rush

TLU’s balanced attack will need quick reads to neutralize a Trinity front that allowed fewer than 15 PPG in SAA play.

Trinity WR Corps vs. TLU Corners

Trinity’s top wideouts are capable of stretching the field; TLU must avoid giving up explosive plays early.

TLU RB Corps vs. Trinity Front Seven

Establishing the run is key for TLU to control tempo and keep Trinity’s offense off the field.

Series History

All-Time: Texas Lutheran leads 7–5 since 2010

Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 – Texas Lutheran 35, Trinity 20 (San Antonio, TX)

Recent Trend: Teams have split the last 4 meetings (2–2)

Largest Margin of Victory: Trinity 52–14 (2022)

Smallest Margin of Victory: Trinity 28–27 (2016)

Betting Trends (Based on Recent Seasons)

Trinity

8–2 SU in last 10 games

6–4 ATS in last 10 games

Over in 4 of last 6 games

Texas Lutheran

5–5 SU in last 10 games

4–6 ATS in last 10 games

Over in 3 of last 5 games

Head-to-Head

Over has hit in 3 of last 4 meetings

Home team is 3–1 SU in last 4 matchups

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

Trinity’s revenge angle after 2024 home loss to TLU

TLU’s home‑field advantage and confidence from last year’s upset

Both teams’ offensive efficiency vs. defenses that can generate turnovers

Weather: hot but otherwise neutral impact

Game Odds

Trinity (TX) Tigers                            – 9.5

Texas Lutheran Bulldogs               54.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Wednesday, September 3, 2025