Early Miscues Doom 'Roo Football

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Austin College football team out-gained Rhodes College in the team's first road game of the year, but a pair of first-half turnovers helped the Lynx gain momentum and build a big halftime lead on their way to topping the 'Roos 31-17. The 'Roos are now 0-2 on the year.

The 'Roos seemed to be driving toward putting points on the board midway through the first quarter, moving the ball 59 yards in seven plays before a fumble just outside the Rhodes redzone gave the ball to the Lynx, and another fumble early in the second quarter put the ball back in the hands of the Lynx at midfield. Rhodes proceeded to put together a seven play, 49-yard drive culminating in a one-yard touchdown plunge by Jelani Lovett to make it 7-0 with 10:38 on the clock. 

Rhodes started its next possession in Austin College territory, and Evan Reeder completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to John Hampton to cap a six play, 46-yard drive to make it 14-0. Austin College got on the board on its next possession, with Caleb Balderas drilling a 45-yard field goal, but the Lynx answered with a 43-yard field goal of their own to head into the break leading 17-3. 

Early in the second half, Kellen Vickery's punt was blocked and recovered by Rhodes at the Austin College 15-yard line, and two plays later, Reeder completed another touchdown pass to make it a 24-3 game. Austin College finally found the endzone in the middle of the third quarter, as Barrett Hudson capped a nine play, 84-yard drive with a seven yard touchdown run to make it 24-10, but in the fourth quarter, the Lynx put the game away with an early 53-yard touchdown pass from Reeder to Hampton to make it 31-10 with 13:51 on the clock. Austin College got one more touchdown on the board to cut it to 31-17 as Jaylon Talton found Tim Gracey in the endzone from three yards out to finish a 12 play, 81-yard drive with 8:10 left in the game. Those would be the final points on the board for either team. 

Austin College finished with 399 yards of total offense compared to 374 for the Lynx, with the 'Roos controlling the ball for 31:18 and picking up 21 first downs to 17 for Rhodes. Talton completed 16-of-29 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown, and Michael Cress caught eight passes for 131 yards while Jermiah Johnson hauled in four passes for 112 yards. Hudson rushed 22 times for 83 yards and a score, while Pablo Cantu led the 'Roos defensively with 10 stops. Reeder connected on 18-of-23 pass attempts for 267 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Lynx.