'Roo Football Hangs On for Dramatic Victory over WBU

Austin College defensive back Colter Headrick blocked a last second, 44 yard field goal attempt to preserve a 24-23 victory over Wayland Baptist University on Saturday afternoon at Jerry Apple Stadium. With the win, the 'Roos improve to 2-5 overall this season heading into their bye week. 

Wayland Baptist put its up tempo passing attack on display early, with quarterback Anthony Campuzano throwing for 103 yards in the first eight minutes of the game and leading the Pioneers on a seven play, 66 yard drive culminating in a 26 yard touchdown toss to Geofrey Gonzales with 7:02 left in the opening quarter and a two point conversion made it 8-0. Austin College responded with an 11 play, 62 yard drive that saw Kevin Leonard plunge in from a yard out to make it 8-7 with just over a minute left in the first quarter. 

The 'Roos went up 14-8 with just under five minutes left in the second quarter when Madison Ross scored from a yard out to cap off a 14 play, 78 yard drive that ate up 7:20 of clock and that would remain the score heading into halftime. Austin College extended its lead to 21-8 with 10:54 left in the third quarter as Noah Jesko scored on a quarterback keeper from a yard out as the 'Roos took advantage of an interception by Brett Vaughn deep in Wayland Baptist Territory. 

The Pioneers responded quickly, going 75 yards in eight plays and just three minutes, with Campuzano finding Zac Maldonado for a touchdown strike to make it a 21-15 game. The 'Roos put together another long drive on their ensuing possession, going 66 yards in 11 plays with Andrew Klink drilling a 23 yard field goal attempt to push the lead to 24-15. 

Wayland Baptist put together its longest drive of the day in the fourth quarter, using 13 plays to go 67 yards and eating up 5:58 off the clock, with DJ Brown scoring from a yard out. The point after attempt failed, making it a 24-21 game with 8:31 to play. The Pioneers were knocking on the door once again with under a minute left, getting down to the one yard line, but the Austin College defense stuffed three straight running plays and a pass to the endzone fell incomplete, giving the 'Roos a turnover on downs. 

Pinned deep in their own territory, the 'Roos took a safety on fourth down with 24 seconds to play to make it 24-23, and after a pass interference penalty put the ball at the Austin College 27 yard line with three seconds to play, the Pioneers lined up for a potential game winning field goal attempt from 44 yards away but Headrick came up with the big block to seal the victory for Austin College. 

Sean Sweeney carried 17 times for 92 yards, Ross carried eight times for 90 yards and Broc Boyd rushed 13 times for 70 yards to lead a 'Roo ground game that piled up 286 yards. Sweeney also caught three passes for 12 yards as Jesko completed 6-of-12 passes for 41 yards. Nathan Packard made 16 tackles to lead the Kangaroo defense and James Roh made five stops, including 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. 

Campuzano completed 40-of-55 passes for 430 yards with two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions as the Pioneers were unable to get anything going on the ground, gaining just 15 rushing yards as a team. Josh Amador, Thomas Curry and Josh Bailey each had six receptions for WBU and David Hockenberry made 10 tackles to lead the Pioneer defense. 

After their bye week next weekend, the 'Roos will return to action on October 27 at home against Centre College as a part of Austin College's Homecoming Weekend. 

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.