BRENHAM, Texas — The No. 12 Blinn College football team (4-1, 2-1) used a strong defense to upset No. 9 Trinity Valley Community College in front of a big Homecoming crowd on Saturday night at Cub Stadium.

"It always fun to get this kind of win in front of the home crowd, especially on Homecoming," said Ryan Mahon, Blinn head coach. "The defense came up at the very end on a goal-line stand  and that says a lot about our team, so I couldn't be more proud of everybody. They were prepared for what was going to come and they executed with the game on the line."

Quarterback Brock Landis completed 18-of-43 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, CJ Jones rushed for 67 yards on 10 carries, Xavier Hutchinson caught nine passes for 116 yards and Danny Gray caught seven recpetions for 65 yards and one touchdown. 

Blinn didn't take a lead in the game until the fourth quarter when Landis sent a six-yard-pass to Gray in the end zone with 14:53 remaining. The touchdown gave Blinn a 10-6 lead that the Buccaneers held on to for the remainder of the game, despite the Cardinals threatening to score in the final minute of play. With 31 seconds left, Blinn stopped Trinity Valley on the one-yard-line in order to get the ball back and seal the win.

"We have been working for that moment the whole summer and it is good to get the win," said Tarik Cooper. "I feel like our defensive line is the best in the nation."

Blinn and Trinity Valley's points in the first half were a result of field goals. The Cardinals were the first on the board with 9:22 on the clock in the opening quarter with a 51-yard field goal, while Alec Schroeder tied the game for Blinn with a 25-yard field goal with 11:18 left in the second quarter.

Kamren Baker recovered a fumble near the end zone, while Rudy Anderson intercepted the ball on Blinn's one-yard-line in the first half to keep the Cardinals from scoring a touchdown. Ben Langston also recovered a fumble in the half.

Trinity Valley scored its final points at the 2:53 mark in the third quarter with a 46-yard field goal.

"This was a great game where both teams came and played their hearts out," Gray said. "I am so happy that Blinn came out with this victory. Our defense prepared all week for this and won us this game."

Next, Blinn will travel to play Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m.

Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 41 NJCAA national championships since 1987.