MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rhodes football uses over time to top Austin College 24-21 in a close battle on Saturday in the opening game of the 2013 season.
The win helps the Lynx to a 1-0 start for the 2013 season, while the Roo's fall back to 0-1 to start the year.
The Roo's struck first with an 11 yard rush by Bryce Murphy which led to an Austin touchdown at the 10:40 mark in the first half. Andrew Klink's extra point made it 7-0 early in the first.
Rhodes responded on the next drive when Blake Box completed a pass to Brandon Box for 51 yards for his longest connection of the day. The Lynx tied it at 7-7 after a Tucker Nichols field goal.
Rhodes went up after Dane Wilson nabbed his first touchdown off a four yard run before the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Lynx held the Roo's scoreless, and struggled to find the back of the end zone themselves.
Austin, who deferred in the first half opened up the third quarter with a scoring drive to tie it up at 14-14 after Bryce Murphy rushed for 30 yards.
Rhodes again fought for the lead as Kevin Viera earned his first touchdown of the day off a one yard rush, putting the Lynx up 21-14 to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter proved to be a nail biter as the Rhdoes defense fought off Austin until the final minute of the game where Murphy found the end zone off a three yard run.
With the game heading into overtime, the Rhodes defense came to play as they pushed back the Roo's offense. With a Justin Toliver interception, the Lynx took over on downs and Nichols nailed home the game winning field goal.
Austin got a total of 25 first downs in the contest with 123 rushing yards and a total of 259 passing yards for a total of 382 yards on offense. The Roo's totaled 33 minutes of possession and went seven for 17 on third down conversions. Austin capitalized on two of three red-zone opportunities, both of which for touchdowns.
Rhodes racked up a total of 160 rushing yards and 181 passing yards for a total of 341 offensive yards in their 27 minutes of possession. The Lynx went 3-4 in red-zone chances with two touchdowns and one field goal.
Rushing leaders for the Lynx were Dane Wilson who racked up 113 yards and one touchdowns on the outing. Kevin Vieira tallied 38 gained yards and a touchdown for Rhodes averaging 3.3 yards a carry.
Blake box stood tall in the pocket completing 15 of 29 attempts, with one interception for a total of 181 yards and one touchdown in his first outing of the 2013 season.
Two Lynx got credit for sacks with Spencer Smith nabbing three sacks on the Roo's quarter back, and Michael Shield snagging a single sack.
