(Story courtesy of the Birmingham-Southern College website)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Birmingham-Southern junior tailback Shawn Morris broke loose for a school and SCAC-record 332 yards rushing today as the Panthers outscored the Millsaps Majors 28-7 in the second half on their way to a 35-21 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference victory.
The performance marks just the third 300+ yard rushing game by a SCAC back in league history and shatters the former single-game mark of 305 posted by Jeremy Boyce of Trinity University in a Nov. 3, 2001 contest against Sewanee.
Morris' record output came in front of a standing room only Homecoming/Reunion crowd of 3,898. He now owns BSC's top three rushing games, all coming this season. Morris also scored three touchdowns on the afternoon on runs of 41, 45, and 20 yards. The Pensacola, Fla., product entered the game as league's leading rusher and scorer. He ends the season with 1,449 yards rushing (third-highest single-season total in SCAC history) and 17 touchdowns.
With the win, BSC finished the season 7-2 overall, the most wins since reinstating football in 2007. The Panthers finished 4-2 in league play.
The win was Birmingham-Southern's first-ever over the Majors, who now lead the all-time series 4-1. BSC honored 13 senior players prior to kickoff on Senior Day.
Millsaps ended the season 4-6 overall and a 3-3 in the SCAC.
Millsaps got on the scoreboard first with an 11-play, 80-yard drive. Junior quarterback Garrett Pinciotti, who prepped at Bessemer Academy, hit freshman wide receiver Byron Johnson from seven yards out for the score. Freshman Kicker Beau Brady's PAT put the Majors up 7-0 with 6:21 left in the first quarter.
Following a short BSC punt, Millsaps got the ball again, this time on its own 42. Eight plays later, the Majors were in the end zone again. Pinciotti threw his second touchdown pass of the first quarter, this time from 10 yards out to junior receiver Jason O'Rear. Brady's point after kick put the Majors in front 14-0 with 24 ticks remaining in the first quarter.
Birmingham-Southern would close the gap on its next drive. A 41-yard scamper by Morris capped an eight-play, 79-yard drive for the Panthers. The PAT by freshman kicker Bee Hall of Mobile made the score 14-7 with 10:42 to go in the first half.
The first two quarters would end with Millsaps holding a 14-7 lead.
After a scoreless third period, Birmingham-Southern exploded, with the help of sophomore defensive back Anderson Porter of Atlanta. The Panthers tied the score on the first play of the fourth quarter, with junior quarterback Jimmy Stainback of Roswell, Ga., sneaking it over from the two. Hall's PAT tied the game at 14 with 14:55 remaining.
Following a Millsaps punt, BSC was in business again this time at its own 40 yard line. Two later plays, Morris raced untouched down the left sideline 45 yards to the end zone to give the Panthers their first lead of the game. Hall's kick put Birmingham-Southern up 21-14 with 13:10 to go.
On the Majors' next possession, Porter picked off a Pinciotti pass giving the Panthers the ball in Millsaps' territory at the 48. Five plays later, BSC extended its lead on a four-yard run by Stainback, his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon. Hall's kick was good, and BSC was up 28-14 with still 9:38 to play.
On Millsaps first play following the BSC kickoff, Porter picked off yet another Pinciotti pass. BSC took over at the Majors' 45, and six plays later Morris was in the end zone again from 20 yards out. Hall was true on the PAT, and BSC was up 35-14.
The Majors added a late score with 53 seconds left on a 16-yard Pinciotti pass to sophomore running back Thomas Theriot. Brady's point after kick made the final score 35-21.
Birmingham-Southern finished the afternoon with 26 first downs and 465 yards total offense, including 416 on the ground. Morris carried the ball 35 times for his record 332 yards rushing.
Junior defensive back Jeffery Steele of Chalkville led the Panthers with 12 total tackles and added an interception. The BSC defense held Millsaps to just 97 yards rushing on the day.
