Small-town college football in Texas is just different. You’ve got the massive, high-pressure cathedrals of the SEC and the Big 12, sure, but if you want to see where the soul of the game actually lives, you go to Seguin. Specifically, you go to Bulldog Stadium. Texas Lutheran University football isn't just a Saturday distraction for a few thousand people; it’s a weirdly beautiful mix of high-scoring chaos, deep-rooted history, and a "never say die" attitude that’s currently making waves in NCAA Division III.
Honestly, if you haven’t checked in on the Bulldogs lately, you’ve missed a total transformation.
The Neal LaHue Era: Turning Things Around
Winning isn't easy. For a while there, TLU was grinding through some tough seasons in the American Southwest Conference (ASC). We’re talking 2-8, 3-7—the kind of records that make a locker room feel pretty heavy. But then Neal LaHue showed up. LaHue isn’t some outsider; he was the offensive coordinator here under Carl Gustafson a few years back, and he knows the Seguin soil.
He took over in 2022 and basically told everyone to buckle up. By 2024, the Bulldogs weren't just winning; they were dominant. They tied a modern-era record with nine wins and actually punched a ticket to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. That's huge. Moving into the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) felt like a fresh start, and they took full advantage of it.
The 2025 season kept that momentum rolling. The Bulldogs finished 6-4 overall, but get this: they went 5-0 in conference play. They were lighting up the scoreboard like a Christmas tree, averaging 36.6 points per game. If you like defense, maybe look away, but if you like 55-27 blowouts (looking at you, Centenary game), TLU is your team.
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The Freshman Phenom: Reece Deitrick
You can't talk about the current state of Texas Lutheran University football without mentioning Reece Deitrick. Coming out of Canyon High in Austin, this kid stepped in as a freshman and played like a ten-year vet. He didn't just play; he won the SCAC First Year Player of the Year.
- 1,905 passing yards
- 18 touchdowns
- 55.8% completion rate
- 15.88 yards per completion (5th in the nation!)
Basically, when Deitrick throws the ball, it goes far and it usually ends up in the hands of someone like Caleb Camarillo. Camarillo is a human highlight reel from Gonzales who averaged a ridiculous 27 yards per catch. That's not a typo. Every time he caught the ball, it was nearly a first down and a half.
Why Bulldog Stadium Hits Different
Bulldog Stadium only holds about 4,000 people. Compared to the 100,000-seat monsters in Austin or College Station, it’s tiny. But that’s the point. It’s got these grass-covered berms called Burn’s Berm and Church Hill. You can literally bring a lawn chair, sit on a hill with a sausage wrap, and watch a high-level college game for ten bucks.
The atmosphere is kinda like a high-end high school game but with more "oomph." You’ve got the marching band in the stands, the smell of tailgates drifting over from Jackson Park, and the Victory Bell waiting to be rung. That bell is a big deal. It’s the only piece of the original campus brought over from Brenham when the school moved to Seguin in 1912. When the Bulldogs win, that bell rings, and the whole town knows.
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A Legacy of National Titles
People forget TLU has real hardware. We aren't just talking about participation trophies. Under the legendary Jim Wacker back in the 70s (when they were still Texas Lutheran College), the Bulldogs won back-to-back NAIA Division II National Championships in 1974 and 1975.
Wacker eventually went on to coach at TCU and Minnesota, but his time in Seguin set a standard. That "Bulldog tenaciously" isn't just a marketing slogan; it’s baked into the bricks of the Jones Physical Education Complex.
What to Watch For Next
The 2026 outlook is looking pretty bright, but there are challenges. They lost a tough one to McMurry in the SCAC Championship (27-19) to end the 2025 run. That loss is going to be the fuel for the offseason.
Jaxson Eskridge is coming back as an All-Region caliber offensive guard, and the defense has some serious anchors like Owen Garcia, who’s not just a beast on the field but a CSC Academic All-District selection too. TLU has this knack for producing guys who are actually students first—they lead the state in Academic All-Americans for DIII.
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What Most People Get Wrong:
A lot of people think Division III means "slow" or "boring." Man, if you watched TLU hang 50 points on Hendrix in a 50-48 thriller, you’d know that’s a lie. The speed on the edges with guys like Camarillo and the precision of LaHue’s offense is high-level stuff. It’s just played on a more intimate stage.
Practical Steps for the Bulldog Fan
If you’re planning to head out to Seguin to see what the hype is about, here’s the move:
- Grab Tickets Early: General admission is usually $10, but if you want the reserved seats, you have to buy the season package for about $90. It’s worth it for the shade.
- Tailgate at Jackson Park: This is where the life of the party is. The alumni tailgate is legendary and usually open to anyone with a friendly face and a love for the Black and Gold.
- Visit the Lundquist Center: The new Verne Lundquist Student Athletic Center is named after the legendary broadcaster (and TLU alum!). It’s a "wow" factor facility that most DIII schools can't touch.
- Check the Schedule: TLU plays in the SCAC now, so keep an eye out for matchups against Austin College or McMurry. Those games usually determine who’s at the top of the mountain.
The Bulldogs have survived conference moves, coaching changes, and the sheer weight of being a small school in a big football state. But right now? They aren't just surviving. They're actually thriving. Whether it's Deitrick launching bombs or the defense forcing seven turnovers in a single game like they did against Southwestern, there’s always a reason to watch.
Next Steps for Readers:
To get the most out of the upcoming season, follow the official TLU Bulldogs athletics site for roster updates and spring game dates. If you're a local, consider joining the Bulldog Club to support the scholarship fund; it’s the most direct way to keep the program competitive in the NIL-heavy world of modern sports, even at the DIII level. Keep an eye on the SCAC rankings as we head into the summer months, as TLU is widely expected to be the preseason favorite for the conference title.