Belton, TX – The Majors Football team dropped their first road game of the season earlier today against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Following a convincing home win, the Majors traveled to Belton, TX for a tough matchup against 4th ranked UMHB. Today's game also marked the home opener for UMHB as they began the contest by getting out to a fast start.
After forcing a Majors opening drive punt, UMHB scored on their first series of the game by going 61 yards in four plays. The Zach Anderson touchdown pass to Wykeyhe Walker opened up the scoring as UMHB led 7-0.
After the opening drive score, the Majors defense settled in by forcing a UMHB punt on the next series. The Majors then held UMHB to a Jacob O'Neil field goal from 46 yards out.
Holding a 10-point early lead, UMHB forced another Majors punt, leading to an 11 yard rushing touchdown on the following drive.
The late first quarter score gave UMHB a 17-0 lead heading into the second quarter of play.
Despite forcing a turnover in the second quarter, UMHB was able to score three unanswered touchdowns leading to a 39-0 halftime lead.
The Majors began the third quarter on a positive note by driving down the field for a second half, opening series score. The 12 play, 52-yard drive was capped off by a Chance Clowers touchdown pass to Beau Wells to cut the UMHB lead to 39-6.
The passing touchdown to Wells marked the first of the year for Clowers, who finished the day with two touchdowns on 104 yards passing.
The Majors score also marked the first touchdown surrendered by the UMHB defense in over seven quarters of play.
UMHB was able to answer on a 10 play, 58-yard drive capped off by a three yard Blake Jackson rushing touchdown. Jacob O'Neil added another field goal to close out the third quarter with UMHB leading 49-6.
In the fourth and final quarter, Millsaps was able to add another score, as Chance Clowers scored his second touchdown of the day by finding Andrew Jarreau in the end zone.
UMHB added another score on a Sterling Scott 40-yard run, as the game ended in a UMHB victory by a score of 65-12.
The tough road game handed the Majors their first loss as they now stand at 1-1 for the year. There are, however, some positives from Saturday's game that the Majors can use moving forward in the season.
"The game got away from us in the second quarter," Head Football Coach, Aaron Pelch said. "We have to execute better throughout the game, the second half was better, but we have to put ourselves in a better position to win."
The Majors did play better in the second half, as they scored on two long drives that both went over 50 yards. Fourth ranked UMHB, however, was able to answer, as they won their 2015 home opener.
"We lost to a good football team today,"Coach Pelch said. "They're a good football team, but as a whole we have to execute better moving forward from here."
The Majors will return to Harper Davis Field for their second home matchup next week. Saturday's kick off will mark the first conference game of 2015 for the Majors, as they face SAA newcomer, University of Chicago. The 'Maroons' travel to Harper Davis Field for the first time in school history.
"It will be nice to play at home again, especially against a new conference opponent," Coach Pelch said. "We're looking forward to facing the physical challenge that Chicago presents, especially in front of our home crowd."
The Majors are set to kick off against the Maroons of Chicago this Saturday, Sept. 19th at 1:00 pm.
