CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Rhodes College football team got two rushing touchdown touchdowns from sophomore P.J. Settles, three field goals from junior Kyle Edmiston, and some key defensive stops in the fourth quarter to hold off the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens for a 23-20 home win.

Rhodes moves to 2-0 overall as they finished with 310 total yards of offense on the evening including 115 on the ground. Pomona-Pitzer went over 400 yards of offense, but the Lynx were able to force three turnovers as well as block a kick to limit the Sagehens and keep their team ahead.

Rhodes started the game with a bang as Edmiston caught the Sagehens off guard with a surprise onside kick. Settles went to work immediately, finding senior Mason Windatt for a couple of completions and using hte ground game of senior Tyler Douglas, as well as his own legs, to set up a 42-yard field goal by Edmiston for the early 3-0 lead.

The Sagehens responded immediately, putting together a 10-play drive resulting in a two-yard plunge by Karter Ordermann as Pomona-Pitzer took a 7-3 lead. On the next Lynx offensive possession, Pomona-Pitzer picked off Settles and looked to add to their lead in Lynx territory.

However, freshman D'On Coofer made a pair of big plays including a sack on 4th-and-9 to force a turnover on downs.

Settles, again, used his legs to move the Lynx down the field and found his senior tight end Hogan Crosby for a 32 yard gain deep into Sagehen territory. A few plays later, Settles was able to scamper in from four yards out to put Rhodes ahead 10-7.

The Lynx got their first big turnover of the game late in the first quarter as senior Pat West dropped into coverage and came away with his first career interception, rumbling into Pomona-Pitzer territory.

The drive would stall, but Edmiston fired away again from 42 yards and connected to move the lead to 13-7 as the quarter came to a close.

Junior Jack Ingalls kept the momentum rolling for the Lynx as he picked off an Edward Sias pass, again giving Rhodes great field position. Settles would take advantage with a beautiful 34 yard run for six as the Lynx appeared to be in complete control with a 20-6 lead.

However, the Sagehens did not go away, following the Rhodes score with a 10 play drive of their own, thanks in part to a fake punt that went 61 yards to the four yard line. Odermann again pushed through for six, but a missed PAT kept the score at 20-13.

Edmiston could not connect on a 45 yard field goal late in the half while senior John Dodd blocked a 52 yard attempt from the Sagehens to hold the 20-13 lead at the break.

After holding Rhodes to a three and out, Pomona-Pitzer tied the game thanks to a seven play drive as Sias found Aseal Birar on a wheel route for a 19 yard score. Senior Matt Ellis has picked off a pass earlier in the drive, but a roughing the passer penalty negated the turnover.

On the following drive for Rhodes with third down looming, Settles connected with sophomore Josh Loud who hauled in a huge reception and went 56 yards deep into Sagehen territory. The big play resulted in a 24 yard field goal for Edmiston to put the Lynx ahead 23-20.

The Sagehens began their next drive, looking to either tie or take the lead, but Rhdoes caused a turnover as Birar fumbled and Dodd fell on it to give the Lynx possession. Rhodes would move deep into Pomona-Pitzer territory, but an interception kept the Sagehens hopes alive as the game entered the fourth quarter.

Pomona-Pitzer moved into Rhodes territory, getting inside the 20, but a pair of penalties backed the Sagehens up while the Lynx defense stiffened up to force a long field goal that went wide and short.

The Lynx would hold Pomona again on their next drive, but the Rhodes offense could not get much going on the other end. The Sagehens would line up for 4th-and-2 around midfield on their final drive, but sophomore Duke Sherrell blew up the play right as the snap happened to cause a fumble and a two yard loss as Rhodes took over on down for good and ran the clock out for the tough win.

Settles finished 8-for-20 on the evening for 185 yards passing while also adding 57 rushing yards on 11 carries. Freshman Monroe McKay added five carries for 23 yards  while sophomore Josh Lucas had two catches for 69 yards. Windatt had three receptions to go with 34 yards.

Defensively, sophomore Charlie Hughes was all over the field with 13 tackles on the evening while Ellis and Dodd each added seven. Coofer and senior Henry Weinreich each had sacks while West and Ingalls added an interception each. Coofer and Ingalls each had a pair of tackles for loss. Edmiston finishes his day 3-for-4 including two 40+ yard field goals.

The Lynx will prepare to return to Crain Field next Saturday as they open up Southern Athletic Association play against the Berry Vikings. Kickoff will be set for 1 p.m. in Memphis.