MARSHALL, Texas - The Austin College football team turned the ball over three times in the opening half on their way to a 21-7 halftime deficit, and the 'Roos were unable to climb out of that hole in the second half in a 35-7 defeat on Saturday evening at East Texas Baptist. The 'Roos are now 1-3 overall and 0-1 in ASC play.

The 'Roos threw interceptions on each of their first two possessions and ETBU took advantage, getting on the board with a five-yard Carldell Beard touchdown run with four minutes left in the opening quarter. Austin College would square things up early in the second as Jaylon Talton found Ben Meraz for a nine-yard touchdown connection, but the Tigers responded with a seven play, 80-yard drive culminating in a touchdown to make it 14-7. Austin College fumbled on the ensuing kickoff, giving the ball right back to ETBU and the Tigers wasted little time making it 21-7, going 18 yards in four plays.

The Tigers put together another long scoring drive midway through the third, with Cornelius Banks throwing his third touchdown pass of the game to make it 28-7 with 2:03 left in the third, and East Texas Baptist would add one more score early in the fourth, with Banks hooking up with Devin Phillips for a 12-yard scoring strike to make it 35-7 and that's where things would stand at the final whistle. 

Austin College controlled time of possession in the game, but were just 3-of-16 on third down conversions compared to 7-of-13 for ETBU. Talton finished the game completing 12-of-27 passes for 109 yards with a touchdown and a pick, and Meraz carried 15 times for 40 yards and added three receptions for 26 yards and a score. Colton Gerken paced the 'Roos defensively with 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. Banks completed 20-of-28 passes for 240 yards and four scores to lead ETBU.