JACKSON, Miss. -- The Millsaps College football team opened up the 2019 season on Thursday night with the Riverside Rumble against across cross-town rival Belhaven University.

The Majors led 7-0 at halftime, but it was a big third quarter on both sides of the ball that helped give Millsaps the win. 

How It Happened
Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the early going with several drives stalling out on both sides.

The teams combined for eight total punts in the opening two quarters. 

It was Millsaps who broke through for the game's opening score when Amryn Jeffrey connected with Austin Russell on 31-yard strike to put the Majors on the scoreboard. Hunter Sellen's PAT attempt was good, and Millsaps led 7-0 with just 35 seconds remaining in the second quarter. 

On the ensuing drive, the Blazers were content to just run one play, and head to the locker room down a touchdown. 

Belhaven received the opening kickoff of the second half, but on the second play a botched handoff was recovered by Liam Vincifora at midfield to give the Majors the ball. 

The Millsaps offense methodically went 50 yards in eight plays, the drive was capped off with a Jeffrey touchdown pass to Brian McGowan to make it 14-0 Majors. 

After the defense forced another three-and-out, the offense took over on their own 18 yard line. 12 plays later Jeffrey found Nic Hayes all alone in the corner of the endzone for this third touchdown of the night.

Leading 21-0, it was the defense that put the game out of reach with a huge play.

After Belhaven used a long rush to get the ball into Millsaps territory, Tareze Grant stepped in front of a Blazer pass for an interception. 68 yards later he was in the endzone to complete the 'pick six' and give Millsaps the four touchdown advantage. Sellen was again true on the extra point to make it 28-0 Millsaps with 50 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter. 

The Blazers were able to punch in a pair of touchdowns late in the 4th, but in the end the halftime adjustments and strong 3rd quarter from the Majors gave Millsaps the 28-14 win. 

Notables
Jeffrey finished the night 20-30 passing for 181 yards and 3 touchdowns. Fritz Walker III led the Majors rushing attack with 88 yards on 20 attempts. Freshman Carrington Wooden added 38 yards on 14 chances.

Eight different players caught passes for Millsaps, but it was Russell who led the way with seven receptions for 82 yards and a score.  

On the defensive side of the ball, Vincifora was tied for the team-lead with six tackles, including three tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Grant and Dylan Higgins also had six tackles for the Majors, while Trey Butler added a sack late in the 4th quarter.

On special teams, Andrew Byrd netted an average of 41.5 yards per kick on four punts, his longest going for 46 yards.