JACKSON, Miss. — The Millsaps College football team edged Southwestern University, 27-24 on Saturday at Harper Davis Field. The Majors' passing game was a key factor, with three touchdowns contributing to their victory and a second-half comeback. Southwestern kept the game tense, scoring in each quarter, but Millsaps' defense secured two interceptions, helping to seal the win.

Millsaps (5-3, 3-2 SAA) outgained Southwestern (3-5, 1-4 SAA), 426-343 and converted all four crucial fourth-down attempts.

Millsaps freshman quarterback Grant Bizjack completed 20 of 31 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns. He added 32 yards with his feet. On the ground, junior Tameron Patterson rushed 15 times for 94 yards and added a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.

Freshman Derrick Tasby Jr. hauled in five receptions for a team-high 64 yards. Both sophomore Greg Donaldson (57 yards receiving) and junior Taj Colom II (28 receiving yards) secured touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Nehemiah Coalson tallied a game-high 10 tackles (1.5 TFLs). He was also given the Juan Joseph Memorial Award at halftime.

Sophomore Justin Smith added eight stops (0.5 TFLs) and senior Zabian Boutan added six tackles (2.5 TFLs). Additionally, freshman Peyton Depolitte and sophomore W.H. Carver grabbed timely and game-changing interceptions.

In special teams, sophomore Davis Dare totaled 95 return yards off six combined punts and kickoffs. Classmate Connor Babin sent five kickoffs 320 (64-yard average), with four landing in the end zone for touchbacks. He also went 3-for-4 on PATs. Freshman Jace Vasquez added five punts for 203 yards (40.6-yard average).

Millsaps began the first quarter with decisive momentum, as Bizjack connected with Tasby Jr. for a critical 45-yard pass, setting up the team at the Southwestern 28-yard line. Moments later, Bizjack Colom II in the end zone on a 28-yard touchdown pass, and Babin's successful extra point gave the Majors an early 7-0 lead. 

Southwestern responded by recovering a fumble at the Millsaps 37-yard line on an ensuing Pirate punt. A 15-yard touchdown pass by Jacob Smith to Graydon Thompson tied the game at 7-7.

The Pirates later marched down the field on 65-yard drive and pulled ahead, 14-7. A five-yard touchdown pass completed the drive.

Millsaps attempted to close the gap with a strong, 58-yard kickoff return by freshman Bryce Wilkerson. However, but a missed 39-yard field goal attempt concluded the quarter, 14-7 in favor of the Pirates.

The second quarter began with the Majors capitalizing on strong field position as Bizjack connected with Donaldson for a 27-yard touchdown pass, equalizing the score. Babin's extra point was successful, leveling the game at 14-14.

Later in the quarter, Millsaps mounted another promising drive, highlighted by redshirt sophmore Braxton Garmon's 28-yard reception. However, the drive concluded at the Southwestern 11-yard line. Southwestern capitalized on the turnover, advancing down the field and converted a 32-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining, taking a 17-14 lead into halftime.

The Majors opened the third quarter with the initial drive starting at their own 20-yard line. Patterson's 29-yard rush advanced the ball to midfield, setting up a series of plays that culminated in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Bizjack to Patterson at the 8:19 mark, giving Millsaps the lead back at 21-17. Millsaps' defense then stifled Southwestern's next possession, limiting their ground game effectively.

On their subsequent drive, Millsaps maintained momentum with a 54-yard pass from Bizjack to sophomore Isaiah Sinclair, leading to another scoring opportunity. Patterson capped the drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, increasing the lead to 27-17 despite a missed extra point.

The fourth quarter began with Southwestern narrowing the gap with an touchdown pass from Sims to Thompson, cutting Millsaps' lead to 27-24. The Majors' ensuing drive stalled after Bizjack was sacked twice, forcing a punt. However, the Major defense made a crucial interception by Carver at the Southwestern 42-yard line, providing the home team with an opportunity to extend their lead.

Millsaps' next possession ended with an interception, returned to the opponent's own 3-yard line. Southwestern attempted to capitalize but was held to a punt after a series of short gains.

Millsaps regained possession and managed the clock effectively with steady rushing by Patterson, ultimately punting the ball away with seconds remaining. The next Southwestern drive began at the Pirate 20-yard line with 48 seconds on the play clock.

Depolitte sealed the game with a diving interception at the Millsaps 20-yard line with 13 seconds remaining. He went down after a 7-yard return, allowing Millsaps to run out the clock and secure a 27-24 victory.

Millsaps will next travel No. 17 NPI ranked Trinity University on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas. Live video and live stats will begin at gomajors.com.


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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.