The Lynx returned home to Crain Field this weekend to kick off conference play against the Hendrix College Warriors. As expected, both offenses succeeded, and the game turned into a shootout that would come down to the final two seconds.

In the first quarter, the Warriors looked sharp as they got off to a 14-0 lead, but Taylor Haas and the Rhodes offense responded with a 10-play scoring drive that was capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Elijah Bane. The Lynx offense had found their footing and continued to strike for big plays. With 4:43 left in the first half, Taylor Haas found senior receiver Andrew Pickens in the corner of the end zone, and Pickens made a spectacular catch, getting one foot down for his first reception and touchdown of the season. A successful 2-point conversion play from Taylor Haas to Willem Griego would tie the game at 14-14 nearing the half.

The Lynx were not finished, however, as they got the ball back with 1:54 to play in the first half. Taylor Haas led a masterful 2-minute drill, finding 5 different receivers, including Clayton Gehman, who caught 3 passes and converted a couple of first downs on the drive. With just 3 seconds left, Haas floated one for the end zone, allowing receiver John Hampton III to run under it, hauling it in with one hand and putting the Lynx up 20-14. The extra point attempt was blocked and returned by the Warriors to tack on 2 more points, so the score at the half would be 20-16 in favor of Rhodes.

Hendrix got the ball to begin the second half, and after driving the entire length of the field, the Lynx forced a momentum-shifting interception by Nick Floyd in the end zone. This meant the Rhodes offense would begin at their own 3-yard line. Despite committing a couple of holding penalties, the Lynx overcame the adversity and drove 97 yards on 8 plays, capped off by a Robert Daniel touchdown run. Evan Reeder would then find Alex LeBlanc in the end zone to convert another 2-point conversion, extending the Lynx lead to 28-16.

The Warriors would go on to score 13 unanswered points and take the 29-28 lead with 3:10 to play, giving them their first lead since the first quarter. Sophomore quarterback Taylor Haas was calm, cool, and collected as he put together yet another clutch drive marching 73 yards down the field. Elijah Bane took a direct snap and barreled into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game, taking the lead right back. After a failed 2-point conversion, the score remained 34-29 with 37 seconds to go, and the Warriors needed the end zone.
After driving all the way down to the Rhodes 2-yard line, a game-saving tackle was made by freshman defensive back Chyco Williams with 2 seconds on the clock. It was not enough time for the Warriors to spike the football, and the Lynx had prevailed against the Warriors for the first time since 2021. A nail-biter to the very end, the Lynx improved to 2-2 on the season and began conference play with a record of 1-0.

Taylor Haas is the player to highlight for the Lynx. He led the offense with confidence and converted countless third —and fourth-down plays. He was 20-27 passing for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. Elijah Bane ran for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the ending receiver was John Hampton III, who hauled in 6 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Hampton improved his season totals to 21 receptions for 395 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Chyco Williams led the defense with 7 total tackles, including the game-winning tackle at his very own 2-yard line. Nick Floyd accounted for 6 tackles and an interception, and the disruptive Thomas Conroy produced 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Deon King also added a huge sack. 

The Lynx hit the road once again next week as they travel to Georgetown, Texas, to take on Southwestern University in another conference matchup. That game is set to kick at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 12.