GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Austin College football team dropped a 45-19 road decision at Southwestern University on Saturday, as the Pirates scored 28 unanswered points following an early score by the 'Roos and Austin College was unable to bounce back. The 'Roos are now 1-6 overall on the year.
Tyler James got the scoring started with a seven-yard touchdown run for the 'Roos, capping off an 11-play, 86-yard drive that made it 6-0 following a failed point after attempt. However, Southwestern quickly struck back two minutes later to take a 7-6 lead at the 8:27 mark, and the Pirates would add another touchdown with seven seconds left in the opening quarter to make it 14-6 after one.
Southwestern got a 46-yard touchdown toss from Landry Gilpin to Austin Castilleja early in the second to make it 21-6, and Gilpin raced 27 yards for a touchdown with just over nine and a half minutes remaining in the second quarter to make it a 28-6 game. Austin College would get on the scoreboard once more in the first half, as James found Xavier Maxwell for a two-yard touchdown strike to cap an 11-play, 76-yard drive to make it 28-13 heading into halftime.
The Pirates added a field goal late in the third quarter to make it 31-13, and after quickly getting the ball back, Gilpin would throw a 58-yard touchdown strike to expand the lead to 38-13 heading into the fourth quarter. After one more touchdown by Southwestern with 3:24 left to push it to a 45-13 game, the 'Roos would score once more on a two yard touchdown run by Devon Rideaux to make it a 45-19 final after the two point conversion failed.
James finished the game completing 17-of-39 passes for 200 yards and added 37 yards on the ground, while Aaron Rideaux hauled in eight passes for 134 yards. Jarius Williams, Jarrett Pleasant, and Colton Gerken each made seven tackles to lead Austin College defensively. Gilpin went 18-of-27 for 297 yards with four touchdowns to lead Southwestern.
Austin College is back home for Senior Day on Saturday, taking on Hardin-Simmons University at 1:00 p.m.