JACKSON, Miss. – After two tough weeks of close games with nothing to show in the win column, the Millsaps Majors (1-2, 1-0 SCAC) came out on the smiling side of the board for the first time in the 2010 campaign with a 38-24 win over the visiting Austin College 'Roos (2-1, 0-1 SCAC) to open SCAC-play.
Both teams took a couple of series to warm up their offenses on the day, with the first three possessions going three-and-out to start the game. Austin got on the board first after driving down to the seven of the Majors, but they were held to just a field goal by the Millsaps defense.
The Majors capitalized on a Austin College fumble, recovered by \#Kevin Peters\#, that handed Millsaps a short field for \#Shane Bowser\# who punched the ball across the goal line for the first touchdown of the afternoon, 7-3.
The Major defense stepped up again at the end of the first, forcing another three-and-out on the 'Roos. That sparked a 40-yard drive down the field capped by a 26-yard field goal from \#Taylor Russolino\# which put the Majors up seven, 10-3 as the second quarter began.
The 'Roos were not about to make it easy, however, as they scored on their next possession, but they were unsuccessful on the extra point attempt, and so, remained one down at 10-9. They did regain the lead two drives later, as Brogan Funderburg found the endzone for Austin with a six-yard rush to put the 'Roos back ahead 16-10 with just over four minutes remaining in the half.
The Majors answered again, though, before the half to retake a one-point lead going into halftime. Bowser continued to shoot holes in the Austin defense, rushing for 43 yards on four carries as the half ticked away, capped by a eight-yard rush over the line to regain the lead for Millsaps.
The 'Roos came out of the break and scored a quick touchdown to retake the lead, 24-17, just 2:29 into the half, but it would be their last lead of the game. Pinciotti had the Majors' offense running on all cylinders and tied the game at 24 eight plays later off a 23-yard completion to Kegan Joplin.
Another missed kick by the 'Roos' special teams kept them from answering on their next possession, but \#Michael Galatas\# had one ready on the Majors' next drive. The senior connected with Pinciotti for a 54-yard bomb into the endzone to put the Majors up 31-24.
The 'Roos had a golden opportunity to keep themselves in the game as the fourth quarter began, driving all the way down to the one yard line, but the Majors defense stood firm and held the 'Roos out of the endzone on the next play from scrimmage, as \#Will Hawkins\# stuffed the Austin rusher back to the five yard line.
The 'Roos then let their emotions get the better of them following a five-yard false start call that resulted in a personal foul being called, bringing up second-and-goal from the Millsaps 25 yardline. Adding insult to injury, the Austin kicking team miss-fired for the third time on the day on the 42-yard field goal attempt to come away with no points.
The Majors topped the win with another impressive, and fast, scoring drive that set the final score of 38-24 with a Pinciotti to \#Jason O'Rear\# 15-yard completion for the touchdown. Not to be outdone, however, the Major defense put the final nail in the coffin on the 'Roos final drive with a \#Nate Davis\# interception on the ten yard line to seal the victory for the Majors.
\#Michael Galatas\# led the receiving corps with 84 yards on six receptions, including the 54-yarder in the third. \#Shane Bowser\# closed the day with an amazing 150 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. \#Will Hawkins\# led the defense with 11.5 tackles.
The Majors will return to the road next week as they travel to San Antonio to take on Trinity University in a 1:00 p.m. match up. The live broadcast will be available at GoMajors.com approximately 20 minutes before game time.
