'Roo Football Falls at Hendrix

CONWAY, Ark. - The Austin College football team got a huge game from Tyler James, but a big third quarter for Hendrix put things too far out of reach for the 'Roos in a 49-31 loss to the Warriors on Saturday afternoon. The 'Roos are now 0-2 on the year.

James completed 23-of-34 passes for 264 yards with three touchdowns against one interception, and added 56 yards on the ground to lead the Austin College rushing attack, but after trailing 21-10 at halftime, the 'Roos saw Hendrix score 21 unanswered in the third to blow things open and make it a 42-10 game heading into the fourth. 

The 'Roos took an early lead in the game thanks to an 86-yard scoring strike from James to Broderick Hampton, and after Hendrix came back to tie things up Austin College got a 22-yard field goal from John Aldridge to end the opening frame leading 10-7. However, two touchdowns for Hendrix in the second send the 'Roos into the locker room trailing 21-10, and the big third quarter for the Warriors made it a 32-point game after three.

Hampton caught his second touchdown pass of the game to open up the fourth quarter scoring, this time hauling one in from James from three yards out, but Hendrix answered to make it a 49-17 game with 8:41 left to play. Evan Powell picked up a 10-yard rushing score just under two minutes later to make it 49-24, and the 'Roos would get their final touchdown with a four-yard connection from James to Xavier Maxwell with 41 seconds to play.

Hampton finished the game with five catches for 124 yards to lead the 'Roos in receiving, and Aaron Rideaux added five catches for 46 yards. Regan Wilkins and Jarrett Pleasant led Austin College defensively with 10 tackles apiece, with Wilkins adding an interception.

Austin College is in Sherman next week for its lone home game of the season when they host Millsaps College at Jerry E. Apple Stadium on March 6.