JACKSON, MS – Despite outscoring their opponent in the second half 13-6, the Majors football team fell in the opening game of conference play 31-27.
The University of Chicago made the 738 mile trip to Harper Davis Field to face the Majors in both team's first conference game of 2015. The road trip marked the 'Maroons' second game of the season and the first ever meeting between Millsaps and Chicago.
After a tough road loss, the Majors were looking to return to Harper Davis Field to win their second straight home game. The Maroons, however, were looking to get their second straight win of 2015, as today marked Chicago's inaugural game playing in the Southern Athletic Association.
The Majors won the coin toss and elected to receive to start the first half of play. After gaining favorable field position from an opening out-of-bounds kickoff, freshman quarterback Chance Clowers and the Millsaps offense took the field.
Three quick plays later, senior defensive back Vincent Beltrano picked off a Clowers pass on third down. Beltrano's interception gave the Maroons excellent field position to start their opening drive.
The Majors defense, however, forced a Chicago three-and-out, leading to a Karol Kurzydlowski field goal attempt.
Kurzydlowski's 39-yard field goal sailed through the uprights giving Chicago an early 3-0 lead.
Following the early three points, both teams entered into a defensive stalemate as punters Ryan Grace and Karol Kurzydlowski swapped punts to close out the first quarter of play.
The second quarter began with another punt, as junior wide receiver Beau Wells fair caught a kick from Kurzydlowski at the Majors 19-yard line. Millsaps was then able to orchestrate a long drive of 59 yards to the Chicago 10-yard line.
However, following two short rushing attempts and a declined holding penalty, the Majors were forced to attempt a 27-yard field goal. The Maroons blocked the attempt and took over on their own 20-yard line.
Chicago used the momentum to score on a four-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a 46-yard catch and run touchdown by junior Chris Mason.
Chicago forced a Majors punt on the ensuing drive, which led to another scoring chance for the Maroons. Junior quarterback Burke Moser scored his second touchdown of the half by firing a pass to Nathan Massey in the end zone. The six play, 69-yard drive gave Chicago a 17-0 lead with just three minutes left in the first half.
On the ensuing drive, Taz Watson gave the Majors a jolt of much needed offensive energy by rushing to the Chicago eight-yard line. Watson's run totaled 54 yards and gave Millsaps their best scoring chance of the first half.
Following the long run, sophomore quarterback Ty Proctor faked a handoff to Raphael Johnson and bolted into the end zone giving the Majors their first score of the day.
After a failed two-point conversion, the Majors trailed 17-6 with two minutes left in the half.
Chicago, however, was again able to quickly answer on another long catch and run touchdown pass from Moser.
This time, Maroons quarterback Burke Moser found senior Sam Coleman for a 63-yard catch and score. The late first half score gave Chicago a 24-6 lead with less than two minutes to play.
The Majors answered the score from Chicago by fearlessly driving 72-yards on five plays to only trail by 10 points at the half. The highlights of the drive included a hard fought 39-yard rush from Andrew Warren and a Rashad Sims catch and run to the Chicago one-yard line.
The crowd of over 1,700 was finally able to catch their breath, as the Majors trailed 24-14 at the half.
Following the intermission, the Majors held Chicago to a three-and-out. However, the Majors fumbled on the following drive to give the Maroons favorable field position.
The Majors defense again held strong, as they forced another Chicago punt after 10 plays. Following the punt, Ty Proctor was able to orchestrate a long 11-play, 74 yard scoring drive capped off by a 14-yard rush from Andrew Warren.
Warren's score gave the Majors new life, as they only trailed 24-21 entering the fourth quarter.
The two teams again swapped punts until Chicago started a drive at their own 20-yard line.
Chicago began to rely on their run game, as sophomore running back Chandler Carroll finished a six-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, giving the Maroons a 31-21 fourth quarter lead.
The Majors showed plenty of fight in today's game, as they again answered on a seven-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. Most notably, Ty Proctor fired a 17-yard fourth down pass to Rashad Sims, keeping the Majors hopes alive.
Proctor capped off the long, intense drive by calling his own number on a 35-yard rushing touchdown. Following a failed two-point conversion, the Majors only trailed 31-27 with just over three minutes left to play.
Still having all three of their timeouts, the Majors kicked off to Chicago with three minutes and 38 seconds left in the game.
Chicago again looked to their rushing attack to close out the game. Following a first down, Maroons running back Chandler Carroll iced the game for Chicago by rushing for 11 yards to the Majors 39 yard line.
The late rush by Carroll allowed Chicago to run the clock down, leaving them the victor by a score of 31-27.
The loss drops Millsaps to 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. The balanced offense of Millsaps again featured similar numbers in the air and on the ground.
Ty Proctor finished the day going 8-10 for 82 yards while Chance Clowers finished with 75 yards on eight completions (15 attempts). Andrew Warren and Taz Watson led the Majors in rushing as both finished with over 100 yards on the ground.
Chicago wins the first matchup in school history against the Majors, as they improve to 2-0 on the season.
Millsaps will look to get their first conference win of the season next week as they travel to Hendrix.
Kickoff is set for next Saturday, Sept. 26th in Conway, Arkansas at 1:00 pm.
