Millsaps College -- All ranks aside, Saturday's SCAC matchup between the Majors and the Centre College Colonels has the makings of an all out war. Centre, 4-1, enters Saturday's battle coming off a bitter 23-21 loss to conference foe Sewanee. The Majors, 3-1, charge their way into the gridiron fight after a 34-21 thrashing of Maryville College.
Millsaps College (3-1) (0-0) vs. Centre College (4-1) (1-1)
Saturday, October 12, 2002
Alumni Field -- Jackson, MS
Kickoff -- 6:00 p.m.
TV -- none
Radio -- Majors' football network on TEAMLINE -- 5:50 p.m.
The series: Millsaps vs. Centre
All time record: Centre leads the young series 8-4.
First Meeting: 1989 (Centre 16 - Millsaps 15)
Last meeting: 2001 (Centre 34 - Millsaps 12)
Streaks: Centre has won the last five meetings dating back to 1997. The Majors last victory over Centre was a 35-30 win in 1996 at Alumni Field.
SCAC in 2002: Millsaps opens SCAC play; Centre is 1-1.
Last week: Millsaps 34 - Maryville 21
Quarterback Brandon Morris rushed for a career-high four touchdowns as the Majors defeated Maryville College on Saturday, totaling a season-high 503 yards of offense in the process.
Morris ran 17 times for a career-high 74 yards, only third best on the Majors' rushing ledger. Brent LeJeune carried 23 times for 124 yards and Jay Liles rushed seven times for 98 yards as the Majors racked up 336 yards on the ground.
Morris, who also completed 8 of 13 passes for a career-high 167 yards, scored on scampers of 8, 5, 3, and 3 yards, while LeJeune added a 3-yard touchdown.
After giving up three first half touchdowns, the Majors' stingy defense shutout Maryville in the second frame. All-American linebacker Matt O'Bryant contributed a game-high 15 tackles, while Jahreese Jones and Craig Bowman each registered an interception.
With the win, Millsaps captured its first road victory since a 58-16 triumph over Rose-Hulman on Oct. 14, 2000.
Last week: Sewanee 23 - Centre 21
Senior Ben Tuck kicked three field goals, including a 43-yarder with 18 seconds remaining in the game as Sewanee upset previously unbeaten and No.27 ranked Centre College, 23-21.
Sewanee came-from-behind three times to overcome a 300-yard passing day by Colonels' quarterback Brian Behrendt, who was 21 of 43 with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Players to watch offensively:
For Millsaps:
Quarteback Brandon Morris - The sophomore's grasp of the Majors' new offense gets firmer by the week. Morris had a career outing last week both on the ground and through the air. Moreover, the Majors charted over 500 yards of offense for only the second time in two years.
Running back Brent LeJeune - The senior running back has regained his form of his sophomore season when he rushed for a team-high 832 yards. Last week, LeJeune piled up a season-high 124 yards and ran for 1 touchdown.
For Centre:
Quarterback Brian Behrendt - The sophomore takes to the air early and often. Behrendt has completed 119 of 198 passes for 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns. Behrendt has thrown 8 interceptions, 3 of which came last week versus Sewanee.
Wide receiver Lorenzo Engleman - The junior receiver is Behrendt's favorite target. Engleman has caught 23 passes for 274 yards and 1 touchdown.
Players to watch defensively:
For Millsaps:
Linebacker Matt O'Bryant - The pre-season All-American is completely healthy after a pesky shoulder injury hampered him through the first few games of the season. O'Bryant dominated Maryville's offensive attack last week, racking up 15 tackles and tallying 2 sacks in the process.
Secondary - Jahreese Jones, Reggie Young, Craig Bowman
Having already hauled down 5 interceptions combined, arguably the best defensive secondary in the SCAC will demonstrate a tight patrol Saturday night. Jones, Young, and Bowman have take-aways on the mind as they will be truly tested for the first time this season.
For Centre:
Defensive back John Ortega - The junior leads the SCAC in tackles with 60 stops and has intercepted 2 passes.
Linebacker Brian Downs - The formidable sophomore has 49 tackles on the season.
Did you know ?
In the Majors' last win over Centre, Millsaps College running back Brad Madden rushed 21 times for 211 yards and two touchdowns while also pulling down 2 catches for 43 yards and 1 touchdown in the 35-30 victory. With 37 seconds remaining in the game, Madden took a screen pass 36 yards to paydirt for the game winning score.
Elsewhere in the SCAC this week:
DePauw vs. Sewanee
Rose-Hulman vs. Rhodes
Trinity @ Washinton (MO) University
