An explosive 21 point 3rd quarter comeback by the Millsaps majors proved too much to overcome as the Rhodes Lynx dropped a tough one in Jackson this weekend by one possession, 44-36.
After Millsaps got the scoring started in the contest with a one yard touchdown run by running-back Thomas Theriot on its first possession, the Lynx started their domination of the 1st half.
Rhodes scoring on the day was started on their first offensive drive by another example of tough running by Dane Wilson, torching the Milssaps defense for a 17 yard touchdown run. Milsapps turned the ball over with a fumble on their ensuing drive, recovered by Sophomore defensive lineman Michael Olushoga.
The ensuing Rhodes College drive used up the entirety of the 1st quarter, and was capped off by senior quarterback Brett Stoots connecting with Junior Buddy Legens for an 8 yard touchdown pass with 1:58 left in the first quarter.
The Majors closed the lead to 1 early in the 2nd quarter when Millsaps quarterback burned the Lynx defense for a 25 yard touchdown pass. The Lynx still maintained the lead, however, as Oloshuga blocked the extra point to bring the score to 14-13.
The Lynx offense answered back with a 68 yard drive that was capped off by a 7 yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Jake Jackson to give the Lynx a 21-13 lead with 6:55 left in the half.
The Rhodes defense proved to be solid on the next Millsaps offensive, causing the Majors to settle for a field goal with 2:54 remaining in the half.
A 30 yard Stoots pass to Legens gave the Lynx a late scoring opportunity which backup Junior quarterback, Tyler Perkins, took advantage of and hooked up with senior wide receiver Jack Lartigue to cap off the scoring drive after Stoots went down with an injury.
That gave Millsaps 1:20 left to work with in the first half, but couldn't convert any points as freshman defensive back Justin Toliver killed their drive with an interception to end the half.
The third quarter saw Millsaps capitalize on the Stoots injury to score 21 unanswered points. A blocked punt on special teams and an interception thrown by Perkins both led to scores for Millsaps, in addition to a touchdown pass by Millsaps quarterback Gary Pinciotti.
The Lynx, hurt both by turnovers and special teams miscues, found themselves down 37-28 at the expiration of the 3rd quarter.
The Majors defense struck again early in the 4th, returning the second interception of Perkins back for a touchdown, bringing the Millsaps lead to 44-28 with 13:35 left to go in the game.
Rhodes was able to reduce the margin to 8 points when Senior Running Back Chris Rose capped off a 58 yard drive with a 15 yard Touchdown run and Rhodes succeeded on a two point try.
Despite losing 44-36, the quarterback combo of Stoots and Perkins combined for 323 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. Both Senior Wide Receiver Buddy Legens and Junior Wide Receiver Jack Lartigue had 100+ yards receiving on the day.
The loss for the Lynx snaps a two game winning streak and brings their record to 2-3 overall.
Rhodes will host Austin College next weekend for homecoming at 2:00 p.m.
