MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College football team racked up 616 yards of total offense including 425 through the air, but relied on huge defensive stops in the fourth quarter to preserve a roller coaster 55-54 win over Hendrix on Homecoming.

It what could be perceived as the game of the year, the two teams combined for 1,286 yards of total offense and 109 total points, both the most combined in SAA history. Both defenses struggled all day to stop the two programs high powered offenses.

But when it came time to come up with a stop, with Head Coach Jim Ryan, a defensive oriented coach, more than likely gritting his teeth to the yards give up, the Lynx stepped up and made some plays.

Similar to last week, Rhodes got off to a tough start as they threw an interception on the third play of the game, returning it to the Rhodes 18. Hendrix only needed two plays to make it 7-0 as Seth Peters found Ben Luedtke for the lead.

Starting with good field position at their own 47he Lynx responded with maybe their longest drive of the game, an 11 play, 53 yard drive as sophomore P.J. Settles and freshman Monroe McKay moved the offense down the field. Facing 3rd and 4 from the eight of Hendrix, Settles lofted a ball up to senior Austin Henyon, who made a tremendous grab to tie the game at seven.

Hendrix would score on its next two possession as Peters threw a pair of touchdown passes; however, a missed extra point proved to make a difference in this contest. 

The Warriors looked control, but Rhodes started a drive late in the first quarter and moved it into the second quarter as again, McKay proved to be the workhorse of the drive, carrying it six times for 33 yards and finding the endzone from three yards out to cut into the deficit.

Rhodes would force a rare Hendrix three and out, and a shanked punt gave Rhodes tremendous field position at the 32 of Hendrix. 

It looked as though the Lynx would do nothing with the drive; however, facing a 4th and 9, Rhodes elected to go for it as Settles dropped back and sent a deep pass into the endzone where he found a wide open Xavier May as a Kyle Edmiston extra point suddenly gave Rhodes a 21-20 lead.

Hendrix moved the ball into Rhodes territory, but sophomore Eric Monroe came away with an interception to stall the drive. After a Rhodes punt, senior Jack Ingalls poked lose a fumble on the Warriors first drive as senior John Dodd hopped on the loose ball to give the Lynx 1st and 10 at the Hendrix 16.

Rhodes made them pay this time as Settles connected with freshman Carter King for a 10 yard scored as the Lynx suddenly turned a 20-7 deficit into a 28-20 lead midway through the second quarter.

Hendrix put together a long, tough drive, using their talented running back Dayton Winn, moving 70 yards on 11 plays as Peters threw his fourth touchdown pass of the day to cut it to 28-27.

Rhodes, with 1:44 remaining, got a huge play on their next drive. After a 14 yard run by McKay, Settles connected with sophomore Josh Loud for a 59 yard catch and run down to the 20. One play later, Settles ran it in from eight to go ahead 35-27.

It looked as though that would be the halftime score, but it turned out 37 second was enough for the Warrior offense as Peters got Hendrix down to the Rhodes 35 and chucked a Hail Mary as time expired. Ethan Hoppe went up and brought it in to send the Warrior bench into jubilation. However, Rhodes held a 35-34 lead at the break.

The fireworks were just beginning as the third quarter began. The Rhodes defense forced a Hendrix punt and used a 20 yard completion to King, a 15 yard completion to sophomore Josh Lucas, and a 27 yard touchdown pass to Lucas on a gorgeous throw and catch to go ahead 42-34.

Hendrix put together another long drive, using a 13 play, 67 yard grinder resulting in a Winn plunge to get it back to one, eating up 4:56 of clock.

Rhodes response? Five plays, 81 yards as Settles hit Loud for a 73 yard play down to the Hendrix eight while senior Alex Richards hauled in the short touchdown catch, Settles fifth touchdown pass, to go ahead 49-41.

Hendrix showed they could move fast too, this time Winn going 42 yards to pay dirt. This time, Hendrix went for two, but sophomore Taylor Waddilove blew the play up to keep Rhodes ahead 49-47, a key play in the game.

As Rhodes used its lethal passing attack to move deep into Hendrix territory again, the Lynx were looking to make it a two possession game. However, with Rhodes on the five yard line, an interception proved to be costly and swung the momentum.

Hendrix used a lot of Winn to 95 yards in 10 plays as Winn finished the drive off with a one yard plunge to give Hendrix their first lead since the first quarter at 54-49.

Settles, despite the turnover, stayed composed and moved the Lynx back down the field. using big plays to senior Mason Windatt. McKay earned a huge 18 yard run inside the 10 and Settles capped it off with a one yard score. Rhodes would miss the two point conversion, but would lead 55-54 with 6:17 to go.

Hendrix, like they had all game, moved the ball back deep into Rhodes territory, getting inside the five. Facing 3rd and 3 from the four yard line, Peters took it up the guy and extended the ball for the endzone. The Rhodes defense came up huge as senior Pat West got a hand on the ball while junior Elliott Tostrud jarred it free with a huge hit. West would recover on the one to give Rhodes a huge turnover with under two minutes to play.

The Lynx started the drive with a Settles to May completion for 23 yards and then went three straight plays before having to punt to Hendrix with 33 second remaining and no Warrior timeouts.

Hendrix moved the ball to the Rhodes 23 with under nine seconds to play, looking as if they were in field goal range. Hendrix looked for one last shot in the endzone, but sophomore Duke Sherrell closed the game with a strip sack fumble on Peters. Tostrud would jump on it and the crowd would go in a frenzy as Rhodes defeated the defending SAA Champions in front of a raucous Homecoming crowd.

Settles was incredible, accounting for seven touchdowns on the day. He finished 23-for-40 with 425 yards and five touchdowns through the air and added 48 yards rushing on 10 carries and two touchdowns on the ground.

Loud had a career day with four catches for 145 yards and a score while King added four catches for 64 yards and a score. May had two catches for 60 yards and Richards had three catches for 57 yards. Nine different Lynx caught a pass.

McKay also had a career day, rushing 19 times for 96 yards, just short of his first career 100 yard game. Sherrell added 12 carries for 55 yards as the Lynx did whatever they want to the Warrior defense.

Defensively, Tostrud was a menace against a tough defense, finishing with 14 tackles, a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Sherrell and Ingalls added 12 and a forced fumble while sophomore Charlie Hughes returned for 11 tackles. Dodd also had double digit tackles with 10 on the day.

The Lynx are guaranteed to finish .500 on the year as they move to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the SAA. They will finish up their home season next weekend as they welcome in Centre College for Senior Day. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 1 PM as the Lynx look to go for three in a row.