ROME, Ga. – Millsaps College scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter–the only points in the period—and edged Berry College, 15-10, on Friday night.
Following the Halloween night clash—which featured blustery weather throughout–the Vikings dropped to 2-6 and 1-4 in the Southern Athletic Association. The Majors improved to 3-4, 2-2.
Berry took the lead in the third quarter after Preston Stewart recovered a fumble in the MC end zone. After Mitchell Blanchard’s PAT, BC led 10-9.
With 9:45 remaining in the game, however, Millsaps’ Raphael Johnson scored on a one-yard run to push the score to 15-10. MC failed on its two-point try.
Berry appeared to have stopped Millsaps on the previous play and turned the ball over to the Berry offense. Yet the Vikings had 12 men on the field–which gave the visitors another chance–and Johnson came through.
The game was scoreless after the first quarter. Rashad Simms caught a 21-yard pass from Zack Thrasher for a touchdown. The PAT moved the score to 7-0 with 4:28 left in the period.
Berry responded two minutes later with its first field goal of the year. Mitchell Blanchard connected from 39 yards out to cut the margin to 9-3.
Berry then suffered a safety on a punt attempt by Blanchard with 35 seconds left before halftime. The scored stayed 9-3 at the break.
Millsaps recorded 365 total yards to BC’s 169 in the contest. Thrasher completed 21-42 passes for 167 but threw two interceptions. Teammate Chandler Loy ran 19 times for 110 yards for the Majors.
Berry’s Dale Jackson was 10-30 for 94 yards and also tossed two picks.
Jalen Tuggle had a season-best 80 rushing yards on 23 carries, but only had six net yards in the second half.
Stewart had an outstanding day for the BC defense. He had six tackles, two for losses, two fumble recoveries and broke up two passes. Matt Farinella had a game-best 16 tackles (six solo) and Jackson Putnam recorded two interception and five tackles.
“Our defense has been great all year and was again today,” said Berry College Head Coach Tony Kunczewski. “We figured this would be a close game. There were a few key plays we’d like to have back. But give credit to Millsaps, they have a good program and a good defense.”
The Vikings play at Sewanee next Saturday.