JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps football team battled Bridgewater College for the first time in program history, but Bridgewater narrowly prevailed late, 28-14 at Harper Davis Field on Saturday.
Millsaps (2-1) freshman quarterback Cole Canatella led the Majors on offense with 231 all-purpose yards (181 passing, 50 rushing), while completing 12-of-29 passes. The New Orleans, La., native also rushed for two scores on the ground.
Classmate Anthony James Jr. hauled in 72 yards on five receptions, while junior Blake Wiley recorded 44 yards and three receptions. Senior Connor Ladner added 41 yards against the Eagles.
Freshman running back James Walker tallied 30 yards on eight attempts and classmate Chase Jacobs covered 25 yards on for eight attempts as well.
Senior punter Ethan Klapatch recorded six punts for 270 yards while boasting two 50-yarders on special teams. Freshman Connor Babin stood out as well with three kickoffs for 167 yards, averaging 55.7 yards against the Eagles.
On kickoff returns, sophomore Jeremiah Hall collected three returns for 51 yards and freshman Davis Dare finished with two punt returns and 47 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore Jamison Rankins led the squad with 12 total tackles alongside a quarterback hurry.
Freshman Justin Smith finished second among the defense with nine tackles as sophomore Tre Jones posted seven tackles and one pass breakup.
Juniors Matthew McDonald and Nehemiah Coalson as well as sophomore Luke Bridges each recorded six tackles, while freshman W.H. Carver amassed five total tackles and an interception.
Bridgewater College (2-1) scored on the opening drive following a 14-play, 71-yard drive. The first touchdown resulted from a three-yard pass on 3rd-and-goal.
The Eagles looked poised to score again midway into the opening quarter after reaching the Millsaps six-yard line. However, junior Braylon Wills forced a fumble and the loose ball was recovered by senior Darren Labit.
The Majors would then go for it on fourth down in their own territory but came up short of the line to gain. Bridgewater took advantage of the opportunity to extend their lead to 14-0 in the opening moments of the second quarter.
Canatella immediately answered with an electric 33-yard run on the ensuing Major drive. He ultimately completed the drive with a nine-yard rushing score a few plays later.
As the quarter continued, the Millsaps defense would keep the Eagles out of the end zone and stopped their opponents on 4th-and-3 at the Major 36-yard line. Bridgewater held a narrow 14-7 margin at intermission.
In the third quarter, Canatella would connect with Ladner on a soaring 41-yard passing play to give Millsaps momentum early.
Eventually Canatella rushed the ball from two yards out to tie the game at 14-14. The rush capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
Millsaps looked to take their first lead of the game midway through but would come up short on a 41-yard field goal attempt.
Teams traded offensive positions until Bridgewater regained the lead on a 16-yard rushing touchdown with less than two minutes on the third quarter clock.
Millsaps would close out the third quarter with a 38-yard pass by Canatella to James Jr., bringing the Majors the Eagle 13-yard line.
In the start of the fourth quarter, the Bridgewater defense would come alive with a forced fumble at the goal line.
Teams traded possessions again until the Eagles drove down the field for 79 yards on 11 plays. A one-yard rush stretched their margin to 28-14.
Millsaps regained the ball with 2:38 remaining, but Bridgewater stopped the drive and kneeled out the clock.
The Majors next open Southern Athletic Association action on Saturday, Sept. 28. Millsaps will face Sewanee in Tennessee, beginning at 12 p.m. Live stats and live video will be available at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the football program this year follow the Majors on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.
Founded in Jackson, Mississippi in 1890, Millsaps College is a national liberal arts college dedicated to academic excellence, open inquiry and free expression, the exploration of faith to inform vocation and the innovative shaping of the social, economic and cultural progress of our region. Consistently ranked as one of the best values in higher education, Millsaps has been praised by Colleges That Change Lives, The Princeton Review, Forbes Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, The John Templeton Foundation, and The Fiske Guide to Colleges.
