Penalties Prove Costly for 'Roo Football in Loss to Rhodes

The Austin College football team outgained visiting Rhodes College and controlled the time of possession, but the 'Roos were unable to overcome 12 penalties for 102 yards in a 27-13 loss on Saturday afternoon at Jerry Apple Stadium. The 'Roos are now 1-5 overall this season. 

Rhodes got on the scoreboard quickly in the first quarter when Kevin Vieira broke a tackle and raced 40 yards for the touchdown, making it 6-0 after a botched extra point attempt with 10:54 left in the opening quarter. The 'Roos would answer with a 12 play, 64 yard drive culminating in a 21 yard field goal by Andrew Klink to make it 6-3 with 4:51 left in the first. 

Klink would add another 21 yard field goal midway through the second quarter, this time at the end of a 12 play, 87 yard drive that ate up 6:21 and squared things at 6-6. However, the Lynx would answer with a 16 play, 78 yard drive ending in a one yard touchdown pass from Blake Box to Jack Lartigue with 10 seconds left in the half, sending the 'Roos into the break trailing 13-6. 

The third quarter saw the 'Roos take advantage of a Lynx fumble early with Noah Jesko finding Quentin Casner from 17 yards out for his first career touchdown reception to tie things up at 13-13 with 10:05 on the clock. However, the 'Roos would commit seven penalties in the quarter and the Lynx would take advantage and get back on top 20-13 on a 26 yard run by Dane Wilson with 5:33 left in the third. 

Rhodes would add one more score late in the game when Box, facing a fourth and six situation, found Jonathan Wiener in the corner of the endzone for a 26 yard touchdown with 3:38 left to make it 27-13, and the 'Roos were unable to answer on their ensuing possession. 

The 'Roos gained 152 yards on the ground and 273 yards overall and had a time of possession of 33:28. Jesko completed 13-of-24 passes for 121 yards and a score while Sean Sweeney carried 19 times for 60 yards to lead the rushing attack. PJ Fuller and Casner each had five catches for 49 yards. Tre Stewart had a huge game on the defensive line, making six tackles including 2.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss and forcing a fumble. 

Box completed 16-of-22 passes for 129 yards as the Lynx had 223 yards of total offense. Wilson carried 17 times for 58 yards and Lartigue caught seven passes for 56 yards. Jimmy Caruthers made 11 tackles, including seven solo stops to lead Rhodes defensively. 

Austin College is home again next Saturday when they host Wayland Baptist University at 1:00 p.m. at Apple Stadium. 

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

About Austin College 

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.