Memphis - It was a hot and feisty afternoon on Crain Field over Parent's Weekend as Rhodes football hosted No. 18-ranked Berry College to open conference play. Ultimately the Vikings edged the Lynx 42-35, but not before Rhodes put their hearts and souls out on the field. 

Berry opened the game with 28 straight points before senior quarterback PJ Settles connected on a 21-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Ethan Chamberlain to the left corner of the end zone. That play was set up after a 44-yard reception in tough coverage by Adam Martinez, also along the left side of the field. Rhodes' first touchdown of the game took just six plays during their first drive to open the second quarter. 

Berry answered with a touchdown of their own to take a 35-7 lead. The Lynx responded with a two-yard rush by Monroe McKay. Following his extra point, Rhodes freshman Stephan Jean-Francois connected with junior Jacob Andersen for the on-side kick. After three incomplete passes, the Lynx went for it with sophomore Morgan Koff picking up a much-needed first down after a 12-yard reception. Another big reception by Martinez (21 yards) set up for the Lynx for another McKay two-yard rushing touchdown. Rhodes would finish the half down 35-20. 

After scoring the last two touchdowns in a row to end the first, Rhodes got first possession of the second half which resulted in another touchdown reception, this time a diving touchdown by Jace Franklin on a 12-yard reception. A two-point conversion by Settles cut Berry's lead to seven. The Vikings rowed down the field on nine consecutive rushes before Trent Holt sacked Tate Adcock to force a fourth and goal for the Vikings. Berry then missed their second field goal attempt of the game, turning the ball over to Rhodes. 

The Lynx were forced to punt on their next drive but Berry's CJ Stone blocked the punt, giving the Vikings possession on Rhodes' 20 yard line. Stone earned Berry's final points after three rushes. The Lynx continued to show their drive to win and on fourth and 10, pulled out the fake punt as Mitch Batschelett found Taylor Smith down Rhodes' sideline for an 18-yard gain. The determination for the Lynx continued in the air and on fourth and 19, Martinez and Settles once again connected for the final touchdown of the game, this time a 32-yard toss with the sophomore tumbling into the end zone.

Senior Eric Monroe blocked Berry's final field goal attempt with 2:35 left to play as the Lynx continued to try and power forward in the final minutes of the game. D'On Coofer once again guided the defense, totaling 10 tackles in the loss. Andersen led Rhodes with five solo blocks and four block assists as Duke Sherrell also picked up nine tackles on seven assists and two solo tackles. 

Rhodes finished the game with 311 passing yards and were just three yards shy of Berry's total offensive yardage (445 yards). Settles threw for 293 yards, with Martinez totaling 101 yards on four receptions. Senior Josh Lucas tallied 85 reception yards on five catches. In the backfield, Dontae Gray led the Lynx with 60 net yards including a 26-yard rush. 

Berry ran for 300 net yards and threw for 145 yards. TJ Watkins recorded one reception for 59 yards while Joey Connors led the Vikings with 127 net rushing yards. 

Rhodes is on the road next week, traveling to Birmingham, Ala. for a 1 p.m. game against Birmingham-Southern.