JACKSON, Miss. — The Millsaps football team defeated Maryville, 31-21 on Saturday at Harper Davis Field in front of 850 fans during Homecoming. This victory marked the first win over a ranked team since 2009 and was Millsaps' first-ever top 10 win.
Millsaps freshman quarterback Grant Bizjack threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns. He added 50 rushing yards off 12 attempts.
The Majors capitalized on defense with three interceptions, contributing to the victory. Maryville (5-1, 2-1 SAA), who entered the contest ranked No. 10 in the NCAA Power Index (NPI), managed 451 total yards but ultimately fell short in the conference matchup. Millsaps' (4-2, 2-1 SAA) last ranked win came in 2009, over No. 25 Centre College (24-0). The NPI is used to determine teams that will qualify for the NCAA postseason.
Sophomore Greg Donaldson contributed significantly with his fourth 100-yard receiving game with 113 receiving yards on five catches, including his seventh touchdown catch of the season. Junior Taj Colom II hauled in six catches for 75 yards.
On the ground, redshirt sophomore Braxton Garmon led with 75 rushing yards on 17 attempts, finding the end zone once. Senior Blake Wiley grabbed his fourth touchdown catch of the season, while sophomore offensive lineman Ben Ragas recovered a fumble in the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown.
Defensively, sophomore W.H. Carver recorded eight tackles and a pass breakup to lead the team. Senior Luke Bridges, sophomore Elias Allen and freshman Jackson DeGeorge added interceptions.
In special teams, redshirt junior Mitch Taylor returned three kickoffs for 54 yards. Sophomore Connor Babin finished 4-for-4 on PATs and added a 28-yard field goal. He also posted six kickoffs a total of 376 yards (62.7-yard average).
Millsaps opened the first quarter with Bizjack connecting with Donaldson for a 65-yard pass on the first offensive play, advancing the Majors deep into opposition territory. The drive culminated with Bizjack's 8-yard touchdown pass to Wiley, followed by a successful extra point by Babin, setting the score at 7-0.
The Millsaps defense stood firm against Maryville, highlighted by Bridges' interception, halting an advancing drive. The Majors capitalized on the turnover with a steady drive of their own, ultimately resulting in a 28-yard field goal by Babin.
The first quarter concluded with the Majors leading 10-0, maintaining their defensive momentum and offensive efficiency.
The second quarter began with a brief shift in momentum when a Millsaps fumble was recovered by Maryville, leading to a touchdown pass that briefly cut into the score. However, the Majors responded confidently with an 85-yard drive, capped by Garmon's 1-yard touchdown run, building the lead back up to 17-7.
The Majors' defense then intercepted a pass, stalling a Maryville drive. This turnover set the stage for a methodical offensive push, highlighted by Bizjack's 30-yard touchdown pass to Donaldson, increasing the lead to 24-7.
The quarter concluded with the Majors maintaining control and nearly added to the score with a narrowly missed 56-yard field goal. The home team still held a commanding 24-7 advantage at halftime.
The third quarter began with a key defensive stand from the Majors, as sophomore Kyle Veal Jr. and senior Nehemiah Coalson combined to stop Maryville on a fourth-and-one, resulting in a turnover on downs at the Maryville 34-yard line.
Maryville then drove deep into Millsaps territory, but a defensive stand led by redshirt sophomore Brewer Bailey broke up a fourth-down pass attempt at the 10-yard line, forcing another turnover on downs.
As the quarter drew to a close, the Majors maintained their 24-14 advantage, effectively managing the clock and field position.
Millsaps began the fourth quarter with a productive drive, highlighted by Garmon's 10-yard rush to reach the opponent's 5-yard line. Garmon then recorded a 4-yard run, assisted by Ben Ragas' fumble recovery in the end zone, extending the Majors' lead. Babin's successful extra point set the score at 31-14.
Maryville responded with a determined drive, moving 65 yards downfield in 11 plays. A 1-yard touchdown run and successful extra point narrowed the deficit.
Millsaps' next possession was cut short by an interception. Despite the turnover, the Majors' defense held firm, with senior Gavin Williams registering a key sack, and DeGeorge intercepting Bryson Rollins' pass to seal the game.
A 37-yard field goal try after the sack went to the right and the game concluded with the Majors securing a 31-21 victory two minutes later.
Looking ahead, the Majors will travel to face Berry College on Saturday, Oct. 25th in Mount Berry, Ga. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. with live video and live stats available at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps College football program follow the Majors on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook and 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.
