'Roo Football Falls to No. 13 Birmingham-Southern

The Austin College football team put together their best offensive performance of the season, piling up 267 rushing yards and 370 total yards of offense, but it wasn't enough to overcome No. 13-ranked Birmingham-Southern College on the road on Saturday afternoon as the 'Roos fell 49-21. The 'Roos are now 1-4 overall this season.

The 'Roos fell in a 21-0 hole after one quarter before outscoring the Panthers 14-7 in the second quarter with Bryce Murphy scoring from a yard out and Sean Sweeney adding a nine yard rushing touchdown late in the half to make it 28-14 heading into the break. The Panthers took advantage of an early second half turnover to quickly make it 35-14, but a 59 yard touchdown run by Murphy made it a two touchdown game in the fourth quarter.

However, the Panthers returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and forced the 'Roos to turn the ball over on downs deep in their own territory, scoring two plays later to make it a 49-21 final.

Murphy carried seven times for a career high 92 yards and two touchdowns to lead the 'Roos offensively and Madison Ross added 56 yards on eight carries. PJ Fuller caught seven passes for 81 yards and Austin Rainer completed 8-of-16 passes for 74 yards. William Gadberry had five tackles and a sack to lead the Austin College defense. As a team, the Austin College offense had three more first downs than Birmingham-Southern, which passed for 250 yards and gained 410 yards overall.