JACKSON - The Millsaps Majors Football Team finally returned home on Saturday afternoon as they welcomed in the 24th ranked Huntingdon Hawks. Despite outgaining the Hawks 430-404, the Hawks were able to cash in on key opportunites as they pulled away and knocked off Millsaps, 45-24.

The Majors took the opening kickoff and easily moved into Huntingdon territory thanks to runs from freshmen Taz Watson and Zach Cart. After a pass intereference put the Majors in the redzone, they faced a 3rd and short on the eight as they looked to punch it in early on. However, Millsaps fumbled the handoff and was pushed back to the 16. Sophomore Beau Brady came on and booted a true 21 yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

The Hawks took the kickoff into Millsaps territory and began their first drive of the game. After converting on a 4th and 4, Huntingdon capped their drive with a 27 yard touchdown run by Trevor Manuel for a 7-3 lead.

After a pair of three and outs, the Majors went down the field in 10 plays to set up a 35 yard field goal by Brady. However, the kick was never attempted after a bad snap forced the holder out of position, resulting in a failed pass attempt and a turnover on downs.

Huntingdon responded as they went into the second quarter with nine play drive with Manuel making a big play again, this time throwing a touchdown pass to go up 14-3.

The Majors wasted little time to respond after a few runs and a completed pass as senior quarterback Garrett Pinciotti went back to pass and found Cart down the middle of field who took it 61 yards all the way for six. The extra point cut the deficit to 14-10.

But again Huntingdon answered with another nine play drive that again ended in a touchdown for Manuel, this time from one yard out.

Millsaps then began a 15 play drive that went well over six mintues towards the end of the first half. Facing a 2nd and 10 from the Hawks 14, Pinciotti went back to pass, looking to put points on the board before the break. However, Huntingdon's D.J. Chappell hit Pinciotti, forcing a fumble, and ending the Majors drive with 20 seconds left. The Hawks took a 21-10 advantage into half.

The Hawks started with the ball in the second half, but the Major defense held strong and got their offense the ball back. The Major offense could not respond though as they went three and out and gave it right back to Huntingdon.

They took advantage of the opportunity this time putting a seven play, 45 yard drive, which ended with Neal Posey hitting Del Green for a touchdown on 4th down. The Hawks added a field goal later in the quarter to make it 31-10.

Millsaps would not go down easily as Pinciotti found senior Dustin Fawcett for a 35 yard gain to the Huntingdon 15 to end the third quarter. Seven plays later, Pinciotti kept it himself on fourth down for a two yard touchdown to cut it to a two score game.

Huntingdon again responded with another touchdown to push their lead up to 38-17. The Majors still had fight in them midway through the 4th as Pinciotti found sophomore Trevor King who pounded his way into the endzone for a 12 yard score.

At the end of the day, the Hawks were too much as they added one more late score to take the 45-24 win.

Pinciotti had a good day passing, going 28-for-55 for 328 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing toucdown on the day. Watson led all carriers with 51 yards on 14 carries. Senior Kegan Joplin led the way with five catches and 65 yards while sophomore Zander Romano had six catched to lead the way and 52 yards.

Defensively, sophomore Nick Arnold led al tacklers with 10, while sophomore Leland Elchos was terrifc with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Freshman Eric Martin also had a career high with eight tackles.

Millsaps will regroup and be back next weekend as they welcome in the Sewanee Tigers in Southern Athletic Association play. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Harper Davis Field.