JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps football program returns to action this Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. against Belhaven in the Riverside Rumble. Second-year head coach Isaac Carter will head into his first full season at the helm for the Majors after a condensed four game slate in the spring.

Carter's message to the team this season is to keep eating crumbs (#EatCrumbs??), which means the program will always be hungry to improve and understand hard work will lead to greater outcomes. The Majors will never be full until their actions lead to success at the end of each day.

A total of five players are back after being named to the All-SAA Second Team in the spring, including junior defensive back Chris Butler, sophomore defensive back Chase Heard, sophomore running back Jaidon Horton, senior offensive lineman Walter Johnson and graduate student and wide receiver Austin Russell.
 
Leading one of the best secondaries in the SAA, Butler put fear in offenses last season as they were reluctant to go his way. The junior from Louisiana totaled nine tackles, including seven solo stops, and posted a team-high three pass breakups in the secondary.

Not to be outdone, his fellow cornerback Heard provided a spark in his freshman season to complete the dynamic duo in the secondary. He was a threat rushing the quarterback and in pass protection. In four games, he tallied 11 tackles, including five solo and 0.5 tackles for loss. The freshman also provided a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
 
Horton, the sophomore product from Florence, Miss., led the Majors in rushing yards (181) and touchdowns (two) last season. Look for this power back to help lead the running backs by committee this season.
 
Tunneling holes and providing gaps for the running backs will be Johnson. He helped the Majors amass 1,193 yards of total offense (784 passing, 409 rushing) in the spring. Even more impressive, Johnson and his teammates only allowed five sacks last season.

Johnson is also the recipient of the Juan Joseph Memorial Award and will wear a No. 11 helmet decal and jersey patch this fall in Joseph's honor. Johnson will be co-captain along with senior defensive back Cade Broussard, senior defensive lineman Jabriel Fields and Russell.
 
Russell ended his 2019 campaign with 58 receptions, 756 yards and nine touchdowns. All three stats were single-season highs in Millsaps history since composite stats have been recorded in 2012. The two-time All SAA recipient was one of the premier wideouts again last spring. He finished tied for first in the SAA with four touchdown receptions and second with 368 receiving yards.

After a hard-fought quarterback battle between junior Kaleb Thompson and  Melvindrick Johnson, look for both players to be given opportunities behind center throughout this season. Thompson is expected to take the first snaps on opening night. He has playing experience, appearing in every game from the spring season. Proving to be a true dual threat, he led the Majors in rushing yards per attempt with 13.3.
 
Alongside Russell, junior receiver Moïse Tezzo will also be a quarterback-friendly target. He was the only other Major receiver to tally multiple touchdowns and have over 100 receiving yards in the spring.
 
Defensively, expect for sophomore end Jalen Shead to step up and live in the backfield. He is the leading returning tackler with 14 total tackles, 2.5 tackle for losses and one quarterback hurry. Broussard is the third returning player with 10 or more tackles. As the last line of defense at safety, he will be the ultimate utility player against the running and passing game.

Millsaps will is slated for a full 10-game season for the first time since the fall of 2019. Homecoming for Millsaps will be Oct. 9 as they host Berry College. Senior Day for will be against Birmingham-Southern College in the regular-season finale on Nov. 13.

Live video and live stats will be available on gomajors.com throughout the fall.
 
2021 Millsaps College Majors Football Schedule
*Dates and times subject to change
 

Date	Opponent	Time
Sept. 2	at Belhaven	7 p.m.
Sept. 18	at SAGU	12 p.m.
Sept. 25	vs. OLIVET	12 p.m.
Oct. 2	at Rhodes	2 p.m.
Oct. 9	vs. BERRY	2 p.m.
Oct. 16	at Trinity	12 p.m.
Oct. 23	vs. CENTRE	12 p.m.
Oct. 30	vs. SEWANEE	1 p.m.
Nov. 6	at Hendrix (Little Rock)	6 p.m.
Nov. 13	vs. BSC	1 p.m.

*Home games in ALL CAPS

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps football program follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.