Texas Lutheran Football Leads Nation in Interceptions With 28 Picks

Texas Lutheran University’s football defense has recorded 28 interceptions this season, a stat that places the team first or second in the nation according to head coach Neal LaHue. The Bulldogs used that defensive performance to secure their third consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season championship on Saturday. The victory over Centenary also marked the program’s second undefeated home season since 2014.

LaHue attributes the team’s success to a deep roster of experienced players who have dominated on the field. He noted that a young player on the squad has already broken the NCAA record for interceptions for touchdowns with five picks. The coaching staff emphasized that forcing turnovers has been the key factor in keeping the Bulldogs competitive in every contest this year.

The team is playing through the loss of two players, A’Jean Augustine and Deyreck Dean, who died in a car accident last week. Senior defensive back Troy Tomaselli, whose roommate was Dean, described the challenge of returning to the field just days after the tragedy. He noted that the group is relying on one another to maintain focus on their remaining goals.

Tomaselli stated that the squad is not allowing the recent events to derail their season. He said the team knows their objectives and is committed to achieving them despite the personal losses. Augustine also lived in the same residence as the other two players, deepening the impact on the team’s living quarters and locker room.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to face conference rival Hendrix College this Saturday. The game will take place on the road at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. The team previously defeated the Hendrix Warriors 34-0 earlier in the season.