Dovi Gamble’s 14th career block helped set the tone for the Taylor Trojans in the early stages, as TU scored early and never trailed in a 33-19 win over Trinity International.
Gamble’s block came on a TIU punt, which was scooped up by Cameron Gray and returned seven yards to the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead.
Everett Pollard found Nicholas Lamica for a 38 yard touchdown later in the first half, and Spencer Crisp scored on a two-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter to give Taylor a 19-13 lead.
With TIU driving at the end of the first half, Gamble came up big again, pulling down his seventh career interception in the end zone to send Taylor into intermission with a six-point lead.
After halftime, the Trojans dominated. In the third quarter, TU outgained TIU 113-36, and Pollard found Grant Hohlbein from 10 yards out for his second touchdown pass of the game. Crisp scored for the two-point conversion to give the Trojans a 27-13 lead.
On their next possession, the Trojans embarked on a 16-play, 86-yard drive that took 8:39 off the clock and was capped off by Crisp’s second touchdown scamper of the night.
TIU fought back valiantly, but Taylor was able to close out the game and secure the victory.
Pollard completed 23 of his 28 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, while helping the Trojans convert 10-of-14 third down plays.
Hohlbein led the Trojan receivers once again, finishing with a career-high nine receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. Daniel Boy and Kyle Kempton each had four receptions, while Lamica ended the game with three catches and a touchdown.
Crisp continued his strong season on the ground, finishing with a career-high 110 yards on 29 touches to go along with his two touchdowns.
Gamble finished with five tackles and one pass breakup to go along with his blocked punt and interception, while Jackson Bronkema and Jace LaMunyon finished with a team-high seven stops. Alex Anderson finished with 1.5 sacks and Gray had four quarterback hurries.
The victory was No. 47 for Taylor head coach Ron Korfmacher and moved him to within a single win of matching TU Hall-of-Famer Bob Davenport as the program’s all-time leader in victories.