SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College football team only got the chance to play one home game this spring, but the 'Roos made it a memorable one with a 27-17 victory over visiting Millsaps College on Saturday at Jerry Apple Stadium. The 'Roos are now 1-2 on the year.
The 'Roos used a big second quarter to grab the momentum and hung on despite a late push from Millsaps, with Austin College erupting for 21 points in the second quarter to go into halftime leading 21-7. The 'Roos rushed for 126 first half yards, topping their season total in just 30 minutes of action on Saturday. Austin College would finish the game with 142 rushing yards and 370 yards of total offense in the victory.
Millsaps found the endzone first when Nik Shanklin scored from three yards out to cap a nine play, 67 yard drive just before the end of the first quarter. Austin College countered quickly, with Evan Powell turning the corner and on the verge of finding paydirt when the ball was knocked straight up into the air, where it was caught by Xavier Maxwell for the touchdown to tie things up with 12:22 on the clock in the second quarter. Later in the quarter the 'Roos got an eight play, 82 yard drive ending with a 29-yard touchdown run by Devon Rideaux with 5:59 left, and with 20 seconds left before the break Tyler James found Aaron Rideaux from 34 yards out for the score.
The Majors grabbed the momentum early in the third quarter but Austin College's defense limited Millsaps to a field goal early in the third, and the 'Roos got a field goal of their own from John Aldridge from 28 yards away to make it 24-10 at the end of the quarter. Millsaps trimmed it to a one score game early in the fourth when Jaidon Horton plunged in from a yard out to make it 24-17, but Aldridge connected from 32 yards out to make it 27-17 with 7:13 left to play. That field goal came after Millsaps was driving to try to tie up the game, with Sharun Jones coming away with a key interception to shift the momentum back to the 'Roos.
James finished the game completing 14-of-30 passes for 228 yards with a touchdown and no picks, and Powell finished his senior day with 83 yards on 15 carries. Aaron Rideaux had a huge game through the air, hauling in 10 passes for 178 yards. Keegan Nichols made seven tackles to lead Austin College and Jarius Williams added six stops and an interception in the victory.
Amryn Jeffrey completed 7-of-28 passes for 134 yards and two picks for Millsaps, while Shanklin finished with 66 yards on 12 carries and Austin Russell caught two passes for 62 yards. Mickale Massey made nine tackles for Millsaps, and Liam Vincifora had eight stops, including two sacks.