The Buccaneers fell to 3-3 on the season and 1-3 in conference play.
Trinity Valley (4-1, 3-0 SWJCFC) held a 4-1 takeaway advantage over Blinn, including two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a muffed punt recovery.
It was the difference in turnovers which Buccaneers head coach Ryan Mahon said helped determined the outcome of the game.
“You can’t have four turnovers to one takeaway; we just turned the ball over too much,” Mahon said. “Then, Trinity Valley completed three key deep passes on us, and that contributed to the result, as well.”
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the second quarter on a short quarterback keeper. Blinn would answer just before halftime on a 19-yard touchdown pass from freshman Quarterback Brock Bolfing to freshman wide receiver Troy Oliver.
Trinity Valley would regain the advantage on a 33-yard TD pass in the third quarter, but the Bucs would respond again early in the fourth period on an eight-yard run from freshman running back Willie Eldridge.
The Cardinals pulled away later in the fourth on a 46-yard touchdown pass in which Trinity Valley receiver Justin Austin made a spectacular one-handed grab before sprinting to the end zone.
The Cardinals closed out the scoring on a 75-yard touchdown pass.
Mahon told the Buccaneers after the game that the focus going forward will be to regroup and play an improved brand of football on Saturdays.
“We played hard. Wejust have to have a short-term memory on things and keep playing hard,” Mahon said. “We are a good football team, and we need to put it on the field.”
Blinn resumes its season with a conference home bout against Tyler Junior College at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Cub Stadium in Brenham, Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
