SUWANEE, Ga. - Birmingham-Southern, Centre, Sewanee and Trinity were all winners as the SCAC went 4-2 in non-conference play on the opening Saturday of the season with only Rhodes College yet to kick off the 2011 campaign.
AROUND THE SCAC
Austin College fell in an 11 point-hole midway through the third quarter and was not able to overcome the deficit, falling 31-28 on the road to Texas Lutheran University on Saturday night in Seguin. The 'Roos are now 0-1 on the year. After TLU took a 10-6 lead into halftime, the Bulldogs extended the margin to 24-13 heading into the fourth quarter, but Travis Zambiasi found Greg Millerick for a 48 yard touchdown with just over seven minutes remaining and a two point conversion pass to Jordan Schell made it 24-21. TLU countered with a score to push the lead back to 10 before Zambiasi tossed a 13 yard touchdown pass to Braydon MaQuar to make it 31-28 with 11 seconds remaining, but the Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick to hold off the Kangaroo comeback attempt. Zambiasi completed 25-of-37 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns to lead the 'Roos offensively and Schell hauled in seven passes for 93 yards with a score. Nathan Packard led the Austin College defense with eight tackles and an interception. Austin College will be seeking their first victory of the year on September 10 when they travel to Marshall to take on East Texas Baptist University with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Birmingham-Southern kicked off the 2011 season with a 28-7 road win against LaGrange. Junior tailback Shawn Morris had a record-setting day, rushing for a school-record 193 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns to pace the Panthers. He also set a new record for long rush with his 88-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Junior Andrew Shannon also had two of BSC's five interceptions, including one he ran back for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Birmingham-Southern finished the afternoon with 16 first downs and 407 yards total offense, including 325 yards on the ground. Sophomore linebacker Cameron Budzius and senior defensive back Micah Baker also had picks for the Panthers, who led the SCAC last season with 24 total. Senior defensive end Bryan Jackson recorded eight tackles, including two sacks, to lead the Panthers in that category. BSC opens its home slate this weekend against Huntingdon College in the third annual Wesley Cup Game, kicking off at 1 p.m. CT in Panther Stadium.
Junior kicker Jordan Gay kicked five field goals and the defense forced four turnovers as Centre opened its 2011 season with a 38-21 win over Hanover Saturday in Hanover, Ind. The win is the sixth season-opening victory for the Colonels in the last seven years and the third season-opening win over Hanover in the last four years. The lone loss came last year in overtime against the Panthers at home. The Colonels were out-gained in total yards (382-286) including 280-169 in passing yards, but held a 17:48 advantage in time of possession and were penalized six less times. Centre will take a week off and then return home Saturday, Sept. 17 for its home-opener against Wash. & Lee.
Millsaps dropped its first game of the year Saturday against arch rival Mississippi College, 33-27, in an overtime thriller. On a damp, windy day at Robinson-Hale Stadium, the Majors had an opportunity to notch their first win of the season over the Choctaws; however, a last second field goal by freshman Beau Brady flew wide left and the Choctaws were able to pull out a win in overtime. Junior quarterback Garret Pinciotti finished the night going 18-for-35 with 263 passing yard and three touchdowns with one interception. Sophomore running back Thomas Theriot led all rushers for the Majors with 84 yards and a touchdown reception. Senior Wide Receiver Dustin Fawcett tallied five catches for 94 yards including a 66 yard touchdown. O'Rear added four catches and 89 yards. Defensively, junior linebacker Jeb White led the Majors with 10 tackles including nine solo. Sophomore Jonathan Moore added nine and senior Jordan Nolan added eight solo tackles including three tackles for loss. The Majors prepare for their home opener Saturday against LaGrange College at 1 p.m. at Harper Davis Field.
Rhodes had the opening week off as the Lynx prepare for their 2011 season opener on Sept. 10 when they travel to Washington (Mo.) University. The Lynx are coming off a 4-6 (3-3 SCAC) season a year ago. Last season Rhodes beat visiting Washington (Mo.) 14-10. Rhodes held the Bears scoreless in the second half before scoring the game-winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Lynx trailed, 10-7 at halftime before winning. Rhodes was led by Matt Gilbert who ran for 101 yards on 20 carries. Quarterback Tyler Perkins completed 11 of 16 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Chris Rose ran for 48 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Under first-year head coach Tommy Laurendine Sewanee opened with a 32-10 victory over Earlham, Saturday. Much of the Tigers' success game on the ground as Sewanee pounded the Quakers for 408 rushing yards on the day. Leading the way for Sewanee was senior fullback Zeke Wilson who rushed for 79 yards on 11 carriers. Not to be outdone the Tiger defense was also impressive in its opening way. Against a balanced Earlham attack, Sewanee produced three sacks, two QB hurries, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Trinity opened up the 2011 season with a 24-7 road win at Howard Payne University on Saturday evening. The Tigers got off to a slow start offensively, but scored 17 second-half points for the 20th consecutive season-opening win under head coach Steve Mohr. The Tiger defense looked strong in the opening game, allowing just 135 yards of total offense, and forcing three turnovers. Trinity gave up just 36 second-half yards to HPU, as well as returning an interception for a score of its own. Trinity will make its home debut this weekend, hosting Texas Lutheran University at 6 p.m. The Tigers lost last year's matchup with the Bulldogs 42-14 in Seguin. Trinity edged Texas Lutheran 22-21 in the last meeting in San Antonio.
