GAMEDAY CENTRAL | Taylor vs Judson | Game Three
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UPLAND, Ind. - Taylor will open its six-game home schedule on Saturday, September 14, when it welcomes Judson to Turner Stadium for a 7:00 pm start.
SCOUTING TAYLOR: The Trojans have scored early and often in wins at Siena Heights and Olivet Nazarene to open the year. TU has averaged 31.0 points in the first half of those victories, finding the end zone on eight-of-12 offensive possessions before halftime. TU has won the line of scrimmage in those games, netting 5.4 yards per rush, while allowing just 3.0 yards per carry on defense.
SCOUTING JUDSON: After suffering through a winless campaign in 2023, Judson opened with a 28-27 win over Madonna. The Eagles saw their guests find the end zone with one second remaining, but stuffed the following two-point try to escape with the one-point win. Jake Parker had over 50 yards passing to three receivers and finished with 236 yards through the air and four touchdowns.
LAST MEETING: Taylor scored the final 38 points of the night in a 52-6 win over Judson on September 4, 2022. Despite the gap on the scoreboard, Judson managed to run 10 more plays than TU and controlled the time of possession. Dakohta Sonnichsen had a busy night for the Trojan offense, catching three balls for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
SERIES HISTORY: Taylor is 2-0 all-time against Judson on the gridiron, with both of those victories coming under the direction of fourth-year head coach Aaron Mingo.
LAST TIME OUT: The Trojans hit a game-tying field goal with 10 seconds left in regulation and then scored a 58-51 win in the first overtime at Olivet Nazarene. TU ran for 379 yards in the affair, led by 206 yards on 27 carries from Jameson Chesser and 104 yards on 16 tries from Damon Hockett.
PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999: With its 2-0 start, Taylor is looking for its first 3-0 start since opening with six-straight wins in 1999. The Trojans went on to finish 10-2 that year, winning the MSFA Midwest League Championship and advancing to the second round of the NAIA Playoffs.
RUNNING WILD: Through the first two weeks of the season, Taylor ranks No. 4 in the NAIA with 281.0 rushing yards per game. Jameson Chesser has led the attack, also ranking No. 4 in the NAIA with 156.0 rushing yards per outing. The junior transfer rushed for 106 yards in TU's 34-28 win at Siena Heights, before piling up 206 yards in a 58-51 overtime win at Olivet Nazarene.
SWEEPING THE MSFA MIDEAST LEAGUE WEEKLY HONORS: The Trojans swept the MSFA Mideast League Players-of-the-Week awards on Monday, with Jameson Chesser (offense), Reid Messer (defense) and Lucas Shilts (special teams) each being recognized for their performance in Taylor's thrilling overtime win at ONU. To read more about their accomplishments, check out the TU recap here.
ALL HE DOES IS CATCH TOUCHDOWNS: Taylor's freshman tight end, Nathan Munson, has started his collegiate career with two catches in each of TU's first two games. All four of those receptions have ended with Munson in the end zone, as the rookie has hauled in touchdown catches of seven, 11, 58 and 75 yards.
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