SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College football team jumped out to an early 13-0 lead and the defense held strong at the end as the 'Roos topped No. 19-ranked Centre College 20-13 on Saturday afternoon in Jerry Apple Stadium. The 'Roos are now 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Southern Athletic Association play.
Austin College quarterback Colt Collins made history early on, breaking 'Roo legend Bo Miller's 59-year-old career record for total yards of offense, and the senior delivered in the clutch with a fourth quarter touchdown pass that wound up being the game-winner. Collins finished the game with 295 yards of total offense and threw for two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.
The first scoring strike of the game came with 5:54 left in the first, as Collins found Kai Brinkerhof in the endzone from 18-yards out to make it 6-0 after the point after attempt hit the upright. The 'Roos got another score three minutes later when Collins capped off a six-play, 67 yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to make it 13-0.
The Colonels got on the board midway through the second quarter with a 42-yard field goal from Tanner South, and the deficit would be cut to three as Centre took advantage of a 31-yard interception return down to the nine, with Patric Edwards scoring on the next play to make it 13-0 at the half.
Neither team managed to put points on the board in the third quarter, and it would be Collins directing a 13-play, 93-yard drive that milked 5:31 off of the clock and culminated in the 'Roo signal caller finding Josh Lockhart from nine yards out on fourth down to put Austin College ahead 20-10. Centre would march deep into Austin College territory on the ensuing drive, getting down inside the five-yard line, but the 'Roo defense held up and the Colonels settled for a 21-yard field goal with 6:58 left to play.
Centre got the ball back with 3:23 remaining and looked poised to tie things up with under a minute remaining, as Edwards got the ball down inside the one-yard line. However, Austin College stuffed the next two rushing attempts, and Jassan Carey broke up Clark Payne's pass to the endzone on fourth and goal with two seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Austin College had 372 yards of total offense in the game, with Collins leading the way both through the air and on the ground. Collins completed 14-of-33 passes for 156 yards with two touchdowns and a pick and added 139 yards on 19 carries with another score. Kai Brinkerhoff had three catches for 37 yards and a touchdown and Maika Brinkerhoff added two receptions for 39 yards. Regan Wilkins led the 'Roos with eight tackles, while Keegan Nichols had seven stops, including 2.5 for loss, and Drake Sanders had two sacks.
Edwards led a Centre offense that totaled 386 yards of offense, rushing 26 times for 198 yards with a touchdown, and Dameon Jones added 16 rushes for 82 yards. Payne completed 9-of-29 passes for 101 yards and a pick for Centre. Andre Evans led the Colonels with nine tackles.
The 'Roos are off next weekend, and will return to the gridiron in San Antonio on October 5 as they take on Trinity in another SAA matchup.