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JACKSON -- Few teams at any level have dominated
their conference as the Trinity Tigers have. The Tigers have won
or shared the last 13 SCAC titles, posting a 58-5 SCAC record in
that span and a 28-1 record since 2001. Head coach Steve Mohr has
led Trinity to a playoff appearance in every season since 1996, including
a trip to the national championship game in 2002.
That year, an undefeated Trinity team rolled into Jackson to take
on a Millsaps team that won just two games the previous year. Under
a first-year head coach (Ron Jurney), the Majors had reversed their
fortunes from the previous year and were playing for the championship
in the season finale
That afternoon, the Majors would pull off a 13-10 upset to clinch
their first SCAC title, sharing it with Trinity. Ten years later,
first-year head coach Mike DuBose will hope for a repeat on Homecoming
afternoon. This time, there will not be co-champions, only champions.
This time, a win will send the Majors to the playoffs for the first
time since 1975.
What started off as a 0-3 season has suddenly turned into a dream
season for the Majors. After dropping the opener to archrival Mississippi
College, the Majors (6-3, 5-0 SCAC) lost a pair of heartbreaking
games in back-to-back weeks to Louisiana College and Huntingdon by
a combined four points.
After an open week, the Majors picked up their first win of the year,
a 52-10 drubbing of Division II Lincoln University. That game was
the spark that set off just the second six-game winning streak in
school history.
For the Majors, everything starts with the quarterback, Juan Joseph.
The three-time SCAC Offensive Player of the Week leads the league
in passing (265.4 ypg), touchdowns (19), completions (182), completion
percentage among active starters (59.5) and total offense (268.6
ypg).
Last week at Rhodes, Joseph completed 25-of-49 passes for 214 yards
in the 14-6 victory, marking the eighth time in as many starts that
the sophomore has thrown for more than 200 yards this season. His
fourth quarter touchdown to Chris Jackson tied the school’s
single-season mark of 19 touchdown passes.
Jackson has provided Joseph with a dependable and electrifying number
one receiver. The senior transfer currently leads the SCAC in receptions
(54), receiving yards (79.4 ypg), touchdown receptions (eight) and
all-purpose yards (147.9 ypg) after his six catch, 56-yard performance
against Rhodes. Jackson has also been deadly on special teams, averaging
21.4 yards per kick return, including a 99-yard touchdown return
against Louisiana College in Week 2.
Since the injury to then-leading receiver Eric McCarty, a trio of
sophomores have stepped up in Burt Pereira (13 catches, 152 yards),
Donnie Epps (18 catches, 174 yards), and Kennedy Griffin (14 catches,
169 yards). Josh Hanna (21 catches, 293 yards) has also turned in
a solid senior year, returning to receiver after playing cornerback
last season.
The victory last week came at a cost, as junior running back Tyson
Roy went down in the first quarter. The Majors will likely be without
his services this weekend. Roy has turned in an excellent season,
accounting for more than 1,000 yards on the ground and as a receiver.
With second-string back Nick Namias also on the injured list, the
Majors will turn to Kenneth Metzger. Last week, the freshman from
Mobile, Ala., rushed for 63 yards on 17 carries.
The impressive offensive stats put up this season cannot be discussed
without mentioning the play of the offensive line. Led by senior
center Conell Phillips Jr., “the Firm,” has allowed a
mere four sacks on the season. The next best offensive line in the
SCAC, Austin College has given up 18.
Comparing the Millsaps defense of the first three weeks to the Millsaps
defense now is like comparing night and day.
In the last six games,
the Majors have not given up more than 20 points and have surrendered
more than two touchdowns once. In SCAC play, the Millsaps defense
has been one of the best, giving up just 10.8 points per game.
Every week, it seems as though a new hero emerges. Last week against
Rhodes, it was junior linebacker Ronnie Wheat. Wheat had five tackles,
two pass breakups, and two interceptions—the second was returned
19 yards to put the Majors up 14-0. Although he wasn’t awarded
with the SCAC Defensive Player of the Week, he did however land on
the d3football.com National Team of the Week.
Shawn Gillenwater has provided Millsaps with another big-time linebacker.
The junior is seemingly everywhere on the field, tallying 77 tackles
on the season, 11 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions
and a fumble recovery.
Junior lineman Casey Younger (55) and freshman linebacker Lee Klein
(52) are both among the top tacklers in the SCAC.
Marcus Harris has also been on a roll as of late, leading a defensive
backfield that has picked off 14 passes this season. Harris has picked
off five passes, all coming against DePauw and Rhodes, and has returned
one for a touchdown. Michael Sims, Kirk Jackson, Gillenwater and
Wheat have two interceptions apiece, with Harris, Jackson, Wheat
and Jacob Hanberry all having returned one for a touchdown.
Trinity Scouting Report:
Scoring Offense: Millsaps (first, 32.9); Trinity (second 27.6)
Passing Offense: Millsaps (first, 270.3), Trinity (second, 205.1)
Rushing Offense: Millsaps (fifth, 127.1); Trinity (sixth, 111.8)
Total Offense: Millsaps (first, 497.4); Trinity (second, 316.9)
Scoring Defense: Millsaps (fifth, 21.3); Trinity (first, 9.2)
Passing Defense: Millsaps (seventh, 245.8); Trinity (first, 106.0)
Rushing Defense: Millsaps (third, 123.1); Trinity (fourth, 125.8)
Total Defense: Millsaps (seventh, 368.9) ; Trinity (second, 231.8)
Trinity has put in its usual effort in 2006, entering Jackson with
a 8-1 record and a 5-0 conference mark. The lone blemish on their
record is a 14-6 loss at Texas Lutheran in the second game of the
season. The Tigers have since reeled off their last seven.
While the Majors struggled in Memphis last weekend, the Tigers had
their share of problems at home against Sewanee. Though Trinity never
trailed and only surrendered a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining
in the game, the Tiger offense was shaky, being held to their third
lowest scoring total of the season. The Trinity defense, however,
was stellar, holding the high-powered Sewanee offense to a season
low 162 yards.
Like the Majors, the Tigers have suffered their share of injuries
this season. Quarterback Blake Barmore broke his leg in the first
quarter of the game against Rhodes last weekend. Backup Jacob Cannon,
last year’s starter and All-SCAC second team performer, has
since taken over the starting role.
Coming in against Rhodes, Cannon responded by completing 11-of-17
passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns against the number two
defense in the SCAC. For the year, Cannon has completed 46-of-70
passes for 486 yards and a solid nine-to-two touchdown-to-interception
ratio.
Riley Curry has been the favorite target of Trinity quarterbacks
this year, hauling in 31 catches for 473 yards and five touchdowns.
Four of Riley’s touchdown receptions have come from Cannon
in the last two games.
Greg Bielski is the leading rusher for the Tigers, with 399 yards
on the season and an average of 4.1 yards per carry. As a team, the
Tigers average 3.3 yards per carry.
After facing the number two defense in the league last week, the
Majors will be against the top defense in the SCAC. Joseph and the
Millsaps receivers will have their hands full with one of the best
defensive backfields in the nation. Along with allowing the fewest
passing yards in the SCAC, the Tigers have also picked off 17 passes,
led by Brian Marynowitz’s four interceptions and Dylan Nealous’ three.
Nine different Tigers have intercepted a pass this season.
SCAC Offensive Players of the Week:
Week Three: RB Tyson Roy (vs. Huntingdon)
Week Five: QB Juan Joseph (vs. Lincoln University)
Week Six: QB Juan Joseph (vs. Centre)
Week Eight: QB Juan Joseph (vs. DePauw)
SCAC Defensive Players of the Week:
Week Eight: DB Marcus Harris (vs. DePauw)
Week Nine: DB Marcus Harris (vs. Sewanee)
D3 Football.Com National Team of the Week:
Week Two: WR Chris Jackson (vs. Louisiana College)
Week Three: RB Tyson Roy (vs. Huntingdon)
Week Five: LB Shawn Gillenwater (vs. Lincoln University)
Week Six: DL Casey Younger (vs. Centre)
Week Eight: DB Marcus Harris (vs. DePauw)
Week Nine: DB Marcus Harris (vs. Sewanee)
Week Ten: LB Ronnie Wheat (vs. Rhodes)
Juan Joseph Record Watch:
With the regular season coming to an end, the Juan Joseph Show
has re-written the Millsaps record book. He has broken two records,
tied another, and will likely break the record for passing yards
in a season Saturday afternoon despite missing one start due to
injury.
Passing Yards: 2,147 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 2,123)
Pass Completions: 142 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 182)***BROKEN
Pass Attempts: 288 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 306)***BROKEN
Touchdown Passes: 19 Beau Pollard (Joseph; 19)***TIED
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