JACKSON -- Fresh off a 31-7 trouncing of DePauw, Millsaps will head to Sewanee as one of the hottest teams in the nation. After starting 0-3, the Majors have reeled off four wins in a row, including their first victory over DePauw since the Tigers joined the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1998 – the worst conference loss the Tigers had suffered since 2001.
Juan Joseph and the Millsaps offense continue to roll. The reigning SCAC Offensive Player of the Week completed 28-of-43 passes for 234 yards against DePauw and though he failed to throw a touchdown, he tied the school record for completions in a game, a record he just set the previous week.
The Majors (4-3, 3-0 SCAC) rolled up more than 300 yards for the seventh time in as many games, as they continue to lead the league in scoring offense, passing offense and total offense.
Joseph continues to lead the league in passing (262.7 ypg), touchdowns (15) and total offense (270.7 ypg), while his 60 percent completion rate ranks second in the conference.
Joseph does, however benefit from a slew of receivers, including the explosive Chris Jackson. The senior transfer currently leads the SCAC in receptions (38), receiving yards (75.8 ypg), touchdown receptions (five) and all-purpose yards (148 ypg). Jackson is also deadly on special teams, averaging 23.2 yards per kick return, including a 99-yard touchdown return against Louisiana College in Week 2.
Since the injury to then-leading receiver Eric McCarty, a variety of receivers have stepped up in the last two games, including sophomores Burt Pereira (12 catches, 139 yards) and Donnie Epps (12 catches, 120 yards). Pereira, the quarterback turned receiver, hauled in a career-high eight catches for 82 yards last week against DePauw. Senior Josh Hanna (16 catches, 242 yards) has turned in a solid senior year, returning to receiver after playing cornerback last season.
Tyson Roy has rebounded from an injury-riddled sophomore season and ranks third in the conference in rushing yards per game (98.2 avg). The junior from Baton Rouge, La., is also third on the team in receiving (20 catches, 282 yards).
The defense, however has played the biggest factor in Millsaps' resurgence. Against DePauw, Marcus Harris had two interceptions, one in the red zone and one returned for a touchdown, as the Majors picked off a season-high five passes. Because of his individual efforts, Harris was named SCAC Defensive Player of the Week to go along with d3football.com National Team of the Week honors.
The Millsaps defense has given up just 40 points and forced 14 turnovers in its last four games (4-0), while they have the top scoring defense in SCAC-only games, giving up 30 points in three games.
Shawn Gillenwater appears well on his way to All-SCAC honors, ranking second in the league in tackles (64) and tackles-for-loss (11). The linebacker also has two interceptions and three sacks. Lee Klein (48), Casey Younger (48) and Ray Kline (38) also rank in the league's Top 25 tacklers, while hard-hitting South Panola alum Cedric Lawrence leads the league in fumbles recovered (four).
The Millsaps defensive backs have shown the greatest improvement. Harris, Michael Sims and Kirk Jackson all have two interceptions on the year, with Harris, Jackson and Jacob Hanberry all having returned one for a touchdown. In turn, the Majors lead the SCAC in interceptions with ten.
Sewanee Scouting Report:
Scoring Offense: Millsaps (first, 35.3); Sewanee (fourth 19.0)
Passing Offense: Millsaps (first, 269.4), Sewanee (fifth, 121.6)
Rushing Offense: Millsaps (third, 147.3); Sewanee (second, 185.1)
Total Offense: Millsaps (first, 416.7); Sewanee (third, 306.7)
Scoring Defense: Millsaps (sixth, 24.0); Sewanee (seventh, 28.1)
Passing Defense: Millsaps (seventh, 254.4); Sewanee (third, 155.6)
Rushing Defense: Millsaps (fourth, 127.9); Sewanee (sixth, 145.8)
Total Defense: Millsaps (seventh, 382.3) ; Sewanee (fifth, 301.4)
After facing the conference's leading rusher last week, the Major defense will face another tough assignment, with the second-leading rusher in the conference.
Quarterback Wes Satterfield leads a struggling Sewanee team that has dropped its last three and five of six overall. Satterfield however has remained a bright spot for the Tigers thus far. The reigning SCAC Player of the Year has rolled up 701 yards on the ground to average 100 yards a game and 4.1 yards per carry. Satterfield has shown the ability to put it in the air, completing 76-of-150 passes for 828 yards. He has had his share of problems though, throwing seven interceptions to just three touchdowns.
Running back Blake Mears has provided Satterfield with a solid partner in the option, rushing for 503 yards on the season at an average of 71.6 yards per game. Mears is also the leading receiver (20 catches, 250 yards) for a Tiger offense that ranks fourth in scoring (19 points per game) and third in total offense (306.7 yards per game).
The Sewanee defense is led by Jacob Cook and defensive back Hunter Hobson. Cook leads the Tigers with 50 tackles and Hobson has tallied 46 tackles to go along with a SCAC-leading four interceptions.
Last year, Mears rushed for 103 yards on 25 carries and threw for a touchdown to lead the Tigers to a 19-16 comeback victory in Jackson. The Majors led 16-5 with just over ten minutes remaining when Mears connected with Jason Loudon on a 22-yard halfback pass for a touchdown. The two-point conversion failed.
After stuffing the Majors on third-and-one, Patrick Strong returned a Todd Rhoden punt 18 yards to the Millsaps 43 yard line. The Tigers converted on two fourth downs and second-and-goal from the three, as Wes Satterfield called his own number to put the Tigers ahead. The two-point conversion was good. Millsaps could not convert a first down on the ensuing possession, giving the Tigers their fourth win of the year and dropping the Majors to 1-6.
Race to the SCAC Championship:
With three weeks remaining, the SCAC championship is still up for grabs. The current standings are:
Trinity 3-0
Millsaps 3-0
Rhodes 2-1
Remaining Games;
Trinity: vs. Rhodes, vs. Sewanee, @ Millsaps
Millsaps: @ Sewanee, @ Rhodes, vs. Millsaps
Rhodes: @ Trinity, vs. Millsaps, @ Sewanee
This Saturday, Rhodes travels to Trinity where a loss would knock the Lynx out of championship contention. A Trinity win and a Millsaps win will set up a Nov. 11 meeting at Harper Davis Field for the crown. A Trinity win and a Millsaps loss will force the Majors into a must-win situation at Rhodes to stay in championship contention.
If Rhodes pulled the upset, the Majors would essentially be forced to win in Memphis, Tenn., against Rhodes and the following week against Trinity.
Juan Joseph Record Watch:
Juan Joseph is currently on pace to break numerous Millsaps single-season records:
Passing Yards: 2,147 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 1,576)
Pass Completions: 142 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 130)
Pass Attempts: 288 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 213)
Touchdown Passes: 19 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 15)
Millsaps College (4-3, 3-0 SCAC) at Sewanee (2-5, 0-3 SCAC)
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Kickoff: 1:30 PM
Sewanee, Tenn.
Series Record: Millsaps leads 32-24-3
Radio: ESPN 1240 AM
