BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Senior Marcus Harris' 61-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter broke open a 3-point game and helped Millsaps College overcome a season-high seven turnovers to complete the first perfect regular season since the 1980 season in a 31-14 road win at Birmingham-Southern.
In a sloppy ballgame with 20-plus mph winds and on-and-off rain throughout the entire afternoon, the teams combined for nine turnovers (six fumbles, three interceptions) that kept the game interesting and the crowd of close to 1,700 on the edge of their seats the entire 60 minutes.
A gutsy performance from the Majors' defense helped the team to its 12th-straight victory overall, holding BSC to 88 total yards in the first half and just 282 for the game. They also had a combined 13.0 TFL. Junior Lee Klein fell just three tackles shy of a Millsaps single-game record for tackles, recording a career-high 20 on the afternoon, while seniors Cap White (13) and Marcus Stokes (11) both set new career-highs in tackles.
Millsaps (10-0) struck first at the 7:26 mark in the opening quarter on its second drive, using sophomore Taylor Russolino's 29-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead after a 12-play, 67-yard drive.
The lead for Millsaps, however, lasted just 20 seconds as David Langston returned Russolino's second kickoff 84-yards down the BSC sideline for a score to give the hosts a 7-3 lead. The Majors were offsides on the first attempt after stopping the Panthers for minus 4-yards at the BSC 25.
The Majors responded right back on their ensuing possession to retake the lead at 10-7, as Shane Bowser made several defenders miss en route to a 53-yard touchdown connection from Juan Joseph.
Two costly fumbles from Millsaps inside the BSC 20-yard line on two of its final three drives of the half forced the Majors to head into the locker room with just a 3-point cushion.
Millsaps held BSC to a three-and-out on their opening possession of the second half but turned the ball over three plays later on a risky Joseph interception that the Panters capitalized on.
Walter Arrington's 34-yard scamper on the sixth play of the drive brought BSC back on top 14-10, as the sophomore picked up 55 total yards on three carries on the scoring drive.
The lead was short-lived, though, as sophomore Michael Galatas ran the ensuing kickoff back 71-yards for a touchdown at the 9:58 mark to put the Majors back in the lead, 17-14. The return for Galatas was his second special teams touchdown in as many games, returning a 49-yard punt against Colorado College.
BSC had its chance to tie the game two drives later after recovering another Millsaps fumble at the 50-yardline and returning it to the Majors' 16-yard line, but a 29-yard field goal attempt from Jared Spooner sailed wide left and Millsaps dodged what would be the Panthers' last trip inside the red zone for the game.
Harris' 15th career interception and third career house call (second all-time at Millsaps) on BSC's first drive of the fourth quarter helped Millsaps put the nail in the coffin, as QB Joe Thigpen did not see the senior defensive back on the quarterback option and tossed it right into his hands.
Chris Skinner added a late touchdown for the Majors with 3:18 remaining to cap the scoring and top off a 6-play, 78-yard drive. Joseph's 71-yard connection to Galatas down the BSC sideline on 2nd-and-19 put the Majors into Panthers territory at the 16-yard line where they scored three plays later.
Joseph recorded his 11th career 300-yard game with 344 yards on 24-of-35 passing and a score, connecting with Eric McCarty six times for 51 yards to help his senior teammate move past Wes Ingram for first all-time on the career receptions list with 160. Galatas also had four catches for a career-high 120 yards.
BSC's Thigpen was just 9-of-15 passing for 94 yards, while being sacked three times, connecting with David Langston a team-high five times for 40 yards. Arrington led all rushers with 19 carries for 125 yards.
Millsaps has all but wrapped up a home playoff bid, but will have to await the official pairings that will be released tomorrow between 2 - 2:30 p.m. on ESPNews by D3football's Pat Coleman. Playoff tickets and information will be released following a conference call on Monday afternoon amongst the 32 playoff teams.
