BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- On Saturday, the Millsaps College football team closed out the 2019 season with a trip to Alabama and a Southern Athletic Association (SAA) matchup against the Birmingham-Southern College Panthers.

The Majors fell behind 30-7 at halftime, but an incredible effort from the defense in the second half got Millsaps back in the game. Unfortunately, the Majors ran out of time in their comeback attempt as BSC held on for the 30-20 win. 

The loss means the Majors end the season at 5-5 overall and 3-5 in SAA play. BSC improves their overall record to 7-3 overall and their SAA record to 6-2.

How It Happened
The Panther offense got things going early on with a pair of first quarter touchdowns to take a 13-0 lead. They added a score early in the 2nd quarter to push their lead to 20-0. 

The Majors responded with a huge defensive play when Mickale Massey forced a fumble that was recovered deep in BSC territory by Dylan Higgins. 

On the very next play Amryn Jeffrey found JD Cook for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Hunter Sellen's PAT attempt was good to cut the Panthers' lead to 20-7. 

Unfortunately BSC scored the next 10 points unanswered to carry a 30-7 lead to the halftime locker-room. 

Coming out for the 3rd quarter the halftime adjustments made by Millsaps made a huge difference.

The defense held the Panthers scoreless in the 3rd quarter, but the offense struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. 

After a drive, that was extended earlier by a fake punt and 4th down conversion on an Andrew Byrd 13-yard pass, stalled out inside the BSC 10-yard line the Majors turned the ball over on downs. 

The defense did their part by forcing BSC to go three-and-out, and the special teams unit came up with the play of the game for Millsaps. Cook blocked the Panther punt attempt and Edward Dougherty recovered the ball for a touchdown. Sellen's PAT made it a 30-14 game with 8:50 left to play in the game. 

BSC went three-and-out again on their next drive giving the ball back to the Majors' offense. Millsaps needed just a few plays before Jeffrey connected with Moise Tezzo for a 70-yard touchdown. Unfortunately the 2-point conversion failed.

With 5:09 left in the game BSC led 30-20, and the Panthers were able to sit on the ball for the last five minutes of play to hang on for the win.

Notables
Christian Roberts led Millsaps with 13 total tackles. He also made his second interception of the season. Liam Vincifora posted 11 tackles and added a sack to his season total.