BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Leading 14-10 at half, the Rhodes College football team scored 36 points in the second half as they blew out the Birmingham-Southern Panthers on Saturday afternoon by the tune of 50-16 at Krulak Stadium.

Rhodes moves to 4-3 overall an d 2-3 in Southern Athletic Association play.

The Lynx racked up 503 yards of total offense including 384 through the air. The Lynx averaged a monster 9.1 yards per play and had two turnovers on the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Rhodes defense held BSC to 283 total yards and forced three turnovers.

The Rhodes defense forced a punt on BSC's first drive, but a great punt put Rhodes on their own one yard line. The Lynx had a poor start as the first offensive play turned into a pick six and an early 7-0 lead for the Panthers.

After a pair of failed drives, Rhodes would get the ball back late in the first quarter and begin a 10 play drive, going 59 yards down the field going into the second quarter. Sophomore P.J. Settles completed a 21 yard pass to Carter King to move into BSC territory and followed up with a 12 yard pass to senior Alex Richards. 

On 4th and 2, senior Roc Sherrell rushed 18 yards to the one yard line and ran it in from a yard out on the next play to even the game at seven a piece.

The Panthers began to put together a great drive, going 13 plays and moving the bal to the Rhodes five yard line. However, BSC would fumble and junior Elliott Tostrud would pick it up and rumble 93 yards for a touchdown to completely swing the momentum of the game and give Rhodes their first lead at 14-7.

BSC would tack on a field goal before the half, but the Lynx held a 14-10 lead at the break.

The Lynx came out aggressive as they received the ball first to start the second half. Settles found King for 29 yards, 37 yards, and nin yards to move inside the BSC 5. Sherrell would rush it in from three yards out to move Rhodes ahead 21-10.

Later in the quarter, Rhodes moved in to the Panther 35, but a fumble stalled the drive. BSC would move it inside the Rhodes 20 and faced a 4th and 1. The Panthers elected to go for it and though it seems they got the first down, senior Jack Ingalls forced the ball loose and and recovered the ball to give Rhodes a huge turnover.

The Lynx answered with a 10 play, 85 yard drive as Settles connected with King for a 46 yard completion into BSC territory. King would be rewarded for his big day thus far as Settles found him for a four yard score as Rhodes was rolling at 28-10.

On the following possession, BSC's pass was picked off by senior Matt Nungesser who have Rhodes great field position. Rhodes came out and went deep on the first play of the possession as Settles connected with sophomore Josh Loud for a 44 yard score. The Lynx scored 21 points in the 3rd quarter and suddenly led 35-10.

Birmingham-Southern opened the fourth quarter with a 16 play, 68 yard drive to cut into the deficit, moving the score to 35-16. However, Rhodes slashed through the BSC defense behind great running from freshman Monroe McKay. Settles would run it in from six yards out as a 2-point conversion moved the score to 43-16.

A late forced fumble by sophomore Jack Skipper and recovery by sophomore Pete Showalter led to an 11 yard score by freshman Nick Erickson as Rhodes reached the 50 plateau for the first time since the home opener last season against Southern Virginia.

Settles had a terrific day, going 23-for-31 for 368 yards and two scores while also adding a rushing touchdown. King had a career day, catching six balls for 146 yards and a score. Loud added three catches for 59 yards while sophomore Josh Lucas had four catches for 39 yards.

Sherrell rushed nine times for 52 yards and two scores while McKay had three carries for 30 yards. 

Defensively, Ingalls was terrific with 14 tackles, two sacks, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Freshman D'On Coofer added nine tackles and a 0.5 sack while Skipper and senior John Dodd each had a sack. 

Sophomore Duke Sherrell and Skipper each had two tackles for loss as Rhodes had an astonishing 17 tackles for loss on the afternoon.