GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Millsaps football team gave Southwestern University a Halloween fright, dominating the Pirates 59-21 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex at Dice Field on Saturday.
Millsaps improved to 6-2 (4-1 SAA) on the season, eclipsing 50 points for the fourth time. Southwestern fell to 2-6 (2-3 SAA).
The Majors outgained the Pirates, 595-419 and forced four turnovers defensively (two interceptions, two fumble recoveries).
Sophomore Grant Bizjack completed 17-of-19 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns, adding 41 rushing yards.
Both senior Tameron Patterson (84 rushing yards) and classmate Mitch Taylor (75 rushing yards) found the endzone. Patterson added a 6-yard touchdown reception, while freshman Jitt Carr tallied 41 yards on the ground.
Junior Sean Johnson hauled in three passes for 74 yards. His sophomore teammate Derrick Tasby Jr. registered two touchdown receptions and 54 yards. He also added a 1-yard rushing score.
Also hauling in touchdown receptions were freshmen Cale Alexander (30-yard reception) and Kaven Taylor (20-yard reception).
Junior wideout and return specialist Davis Dare had an outstanding afternoon in both facets of his game. Dare surpassed 100 receiving yards for the second time this season courtesy of six receptions for 112 yards. He also returned four punts 45 yards and one kickoff another 17 yards.
In special teams, junior Connor Babin netted all eight of his PATs, adding a 39-yard field goal. Babin has now connected on eight PATs in three separate games, which are all tied for second in the program record books.
The Fulshear, Texas, product also sent 10 kickoffs a total of 640 yards, including five in the endzone for touchbacks.
Classmate W.H. Carver brought back two kickoffs for 49 yards to aid in field position. He also secured a fumble recovery.
Junior Chase Jacobs totaled two forced fumbles to go along with his five tackles (one TFL).
Freshman Devin Barbarin (fumble recovery) and senior Christian McCoy netted interceptions. Junior Justin Smith and redshirt sophomore Brewer Bailey both accumulated five tackles.
Junior Myles Johnson forced a fumble, while classmate Mikey Strain (three tackles) and senior Nate Johnson (four tackles) both sacked the Pirate quarterbacks.
The Majors made an early push against Southwestern in the first quarter, with Bizjack finding Patterson on a 6-yard pass to the end zone to top the Pirates, with Babin making the extra point attempt to put Millsaps ahead, 7-0.
Millsaps carried their momentum in the second quarter when Southwestern rushed the ball to the right side, Myles Johnson forced a fumble as Carver made the recovery at the Millsaps 5-yard line to silence Southwestern's offense.
With the help from Patterson, Bizjack, and the Majors' dominant offensive lineman, Millsaps utilized the no-huddle shotgun offensive formation later to find the endzone as Patterson rushed up the middle for an 11-yard touchdown. Babin's kick attempt was good, moving the Majors smoothly past the Pirates, 14-0.
Moments later, Babin delivered a 65-yard kickoff, resulting in a touchback. Southwestern looked to capitalize on its offensive possession with 9:18 remaining in the quarter, but McCoy intercepted the pass, keeping the Majors in control of the game.
Millsaps continued to disrupt Southwestern as Bizjack recorded a deep pass to Tasby Jr., for a 36-yard touchdown as the Majors attacked the Pirates' ship with Babin kicking the extra PAT through the goal posts, Millsaps taking a 21-0 commanding lead.
The Majors further marched down the field against Southwestern as Tasby Jr. resurfaced back into the endzone, this time for a one-yard rushing tally, and Babin made his extra PAT for a 28-0 advantage.
With 31 seconds remaining before halftime, Nate Johnson added a sack, and Devin Barbin sealed the deal with an interception as the Majors dominated the field, leading the Pirates 28-0 to end the first half.
In the third quarter, Bizjack continued to lead the Majors' offense with three consecutive pass completions, including darts of 29 and 38 yards before capping the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Tasby Jr. Babin converted the extra point, extending Millsaps' lead over the Pirates to 35-0.
After being held in check by the Majors' defense for most of the contest, Southwestern finally found the end zone to get on the scoreboard.
Just two minutes and one second after the Pirates scored, Bizjack wasted no time responding, connecting with Kaven Taylor on a 20-yard touchdown pass, and Babin accumulated the extra kick to roll past the Pirates, 42-7.
Shortly afterward, Southwestern added another touchdown, cutting the deficit to 42-14.
Going into the fourth quarter, Babin lined up for a 39-yard field goal attempt and pushed the ball through the uprights.
After Babin's field goal, Southwestern answered with another touchdown to further break into the deficit, but still trailed 45-21 midway into the final quarter.
Senior quarterback Quez Goss then stepped on the field in the Majors' final moments, finding freshman Cale Alexander for a 30-yard passing touchdown as Babin's extra PAT furthered Millsaps' attack, 52-21.
The final offensive strike of the afternoon followed a Pirate fumble with two minutes remaining. Jacobs jarred the ball free and Barbarin was able to land on the loose ball.
Taylor then rushed to the right two plays later and tallied the game's final points off a 56-yard touchdown sprint. Jacobs forced yet another fumble on the final play as Millsaps controlled Southwestern, 59-21 on Saturday.
The Majors return home to host Berry College for Senior Day next Saturday, Nov. 7. Senior Day festivities will begin approximately 25 minutes prior to 1 p.m. kickoff. Live video will be provided at FloCollege.com with live stats available at gomajors.com.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Millsaps 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.
