MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Rhodes College football team used a pair of huge turnovers in the fourth quarter to halt Birmingham-Southern's rally and earn a big 21-18 Homecoming win on Saturday afternoon. 

For the Lynx, they move back over .500 at 4-3 and go to 2-3 overall in the Southern Athletic Association. 

Rhodes did just enough offensively as a team, finished with 178 yards of total offense on only 44 plays while BSC finished with 374 total yards on 77 plays. Rhodes was able to force three turnovers on the afternoon. 

After a three-and-out on the first drive of the game for the Lynx, Birmingham-Southern proceeded to go 51 yards on 17 plays, converting two third downs as well as a fourth down and capped the drive with a 26 yard field goal for the early 3-0 lead, running 7:48 off the clock in the first.

After both teams traded a few possessions, the Panthers found themselves with the ball early in the second quarter, looking to increase their lead. Shortly after picking up a first down, Austin Martin's pass was tipped by sophomore Elliott Tostrud and intercepted by senior Michael Shield, who returned it 46 yards and deep into BSC territory, giving the Lynx great field position at the Panther 18 yard line.

Though it looked like a busted play, it only took one play as freshman PJ Settles found an opening on the QB keeper and scampered 18 yards for six. Junior Tucker Nichols added the extra point to push Rhodes out to a 7-3 lead.

Rhodes again held strong defensively and was able to get their offense the ball back where Settles led a 12 play, 80 yard drive, not throwing a single pass in the process as Settles and sophomore Alex Chavez used their legs to march them down the field. Settles would cap the drive with a six yard score to move the game out to a 14-3 lead.

BSC looked to end the half with points on the board, moving 63 yards in 10 plays and moving deep into Rhodes territory. The Panthers lined up for a field goal, but tremendous pressure from freshman Eric Monroe, pushed the 23 yard field goal wide right and kept the game at 14-3 going into the break.

The Panthers opened the second half up with a 13 play, 66 yard touchdown drive, taking six minutes off the clock and putting six on the board to cut the deficit to 14-10 after a converted PAT.

A great return by Jonathan Wiener gave the Lynx great field position at their own 38. Settles would open up the passing game, completing a pair of passes including a huge 38 yard reception by Wiener, making an unbelievable catch along the sideline to put the Lynx on the BSC 1. Senior Corey Joseph banged it in from a yard out to push the lead to 21-10.

After some defensive stops by both squads, Birmingham-Southern started their drive late in the third quarter and move into the fourth, going 64 yards in 11 plays to get on the scoreboard again. A successful two-point conversion made it a three point game.

A fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the Panthers the ball back at the Rhodes 45. BSC would convert a fourth down on the drive and move deep into Lynx territory. As Samir Usman looked for daylight to give the Panthers the lead, sophomore Bron McPherson ripped the ball away from Usman and freshman Luis Vela fell on the ball to give Rhodes a huge turnover.

However, after moving the ball a little, the Rhodes offense gave the ball back to BSC as a bad exchange on an option read turned it over to the Panthers at the Rhodes 24. 

The Lynx held strong again, pushing a three and out and forcing a 36 yard field goal. Senior Wyatt McRae would get a hand on it and block the game-tying kick while Monroe was able to return it to the Lynx 29.

With 2:19 remaining, Birmingham-Southern would have one last chance to try and tie or win the game. After a big third down completion, BSC proceed to move into Rhodes territory after a 22 yard gain. On the very next play, Martin's pass would be picked off by Monroe to seal the contest and give the Lynx a huge win, snapping a two game skid. 

Settles finished 4-for-4 with 79 yards while carrying the ball 14 times for 61 yards and two scores. Chavez would add 35 yards on 11 carries. Junior Brandon Box had three catches for 41 yards while Wiener had the big 38 yard completion.

Defensively, senior Michael Shield was outstanding, finished with 15 tackles, a sack, three QB hurries, a forced fumble, and an interception. Freshman Duke Sherrell had 12 tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss while Monroe had nine tackles and the big interception. Freshman Jack Skipper had seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack while McPherson had four tackles, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

Rhodes will begin a two game road trip this upcoming weekend, going to Conway, Ark. to take on the Hendrix College Warriors. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.