SAN ANTONIO - DePauw and nationally-ranked Trinity battled to a 17-17 tie through three quarters, but a 21-second span early in the fourth spelled disaster for the visiting Tigers in a 26-24 loss to the 18th-ranked hosts.

DePauw slipped to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, while the 10-time defending SCAC champions and 2002 Division III runners-up improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

A bad snap on a punt resulted in a safety for Trinity with 10:35 remaining and on Trinity's first play from scrimmage after the free kick Dan Desplaines connected with Kolby Brailsford for a 69-yard score to make it 26-17.

Ross Wiethoff drove the Tigers down the field in their final possession and team with Brian Culp on a 15-scoring pass. Ben Murray's point-after closed the gap to 26-24, but the Tigers were unable to recover the onside kick.

"This loss really hurts," DePauw head coach Nick Mourouzis said. "Our men put forth a great effort with great intensity for 60 minutes. If we make a key play, we win the game."

Todd Canion's 40-yard field goal with 7:08 left in the first gave Trinity the early 3-0 lead, before Murray knotted the score with a 34-yard boot with 2:19 remaining in the first.

Trinity quarterback Dan Desplaines converted a third-and-one with a 3-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to give the hosts a 10-3 advantage. On their next possesion Trinity drove to the DePauw 17, but this time Canion's 34-yard attempt was wide left.

DePauw wasted little time in taking advantage as Wiethoff rushed for 36 yards on the first play of the ensuing drive. Matt King rushed for seven yards and Wiethoff picked up another 12 yards on third-and-three to move the Tigers to the Trinity 25. Two plays later, Wiethoff teamed with Jamarcus Shephard for a 24-yard score to tie the game at 10-10.

Trinity started its final first-half series at their own 29 and drove to the DePauw 4 before Jeremy Tubb blocked Canion's 21-yard field goal with four seconds left in the half to preserve the tie.

The hosts opened the second half with a 12-play, 76-yard drive with Desplaines tossing a 4-yard scoring pass to Derek Boles with 10:12 remaining in the third to give Trinity a 17-10 lead. Desplaines completed six-of-eight passes during the possession including two on third down plays.

Trinity appeared to be headed toward another score late in the third, but Desplaines fumbled on the DePauw 12 and Aaron Key recovered at the DePauw 22 with 21 seconds left in the quarter.

Andy Yoder connected with Shephard on the second play of the fourth quarter for an 86-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at 17-17. A DePauw defensive stand forced Trinity to punt and Greg Genung landed the punt at the DePauw 4. The Tigers picked up a first down on the first play as Shephard rushed for 13 yards, but Trinity shut down DePauw to force a punt.

The snap sailed over Wiethoff's head and he picked the ball up and ran into the end zone to take the safety that gave Trinity the lead for good at 19-17. A Trinity penalty on the ensuing free kick gave the hosts the ball on their won 31.

On the first play from scrimmage after the kick, Desplaines faced pressure from the Tigers and was nearly sacked before rolling right and lofting a pass that Brailsford caught and ran in for the score.

On its next possession, Trinity managed to run 5:16 off the clock before punting to the Tigers. DePauw started its final drive on its own 29. Wiethoff completed a 19-yard pass to Culp and later connected with Jackson Rust for a 17-yard gain to the Trinity 44. Faced with a fourth and three from the Trinity 44, Wiethoff tossed a 4-yard pass to Adam Sisson to pick up the first down. Wiethoff then scrambled for 25 yards down the right sideline to setup the final touchdown pass.

Trinity outgained DePauw 451-404 with DePauw holding a 132-98 advantage on the ground. Yoder completed 10 of 20 passes for 167 yards and one score, while Wiethoff completed six of nine for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Wiethoff led DePauw with 77 rushing yards on just seven carries. Shephard caught seven passes for 171 yards and two scores while also rushing for 22 yards on three carries. Culp finished with five catches for 69 yards.

"Jamarcus turned in a tremedous individual performance, while being double-teamed throughout the game," Mourouzis said.

Desplaines completed 21 of 30 passes for 353 yards and two scores. Jerrold Jones led Trinity with 70 rushing yards on 21 carries and caught six passes for 46 yards. Brailsford hauled in just two catches, but for 116 yards.

Joshua Swift led DePauw with 12 tackles including a team-high 3.5 tackles for loss. Swift and Tubb each were credited with three quarterback hurries. Cory Partlow was in on nine tackles including a fourth-quarter sack. Wacey Clarke and Aaron Einhaus each recorded seven stops for Trinity.

DePauw hosts the University of Chicago on Saturday, October 4.