Panthers top Millsaps 27-21 in OT

Posted: Sep 11, 2010

LaGrange, Ga. – LaGrange College evened its 2010 season record with a come-from-behind 27-21 overtime win over Millsaps College at Callaway Stadium on Saturday. It was the first overtime game for LaGrange (1-1), now in its fifth year of having football.

Senior running back Andrecus Lindley scored the game-tying touchdown in regulation and the game-winner in overtime. Lindley finished with a team-high 86 yards; 65 in the fourth quarter and overtime period.

Despite giving up 433 yards of total offense, the LaGrange defense came up with five turnovers. Junior linebacker Chris Prewett had two interceptions, returning one for the Panthers' first touchdown. Millsaps fumbled the ball seven times in the game, losing three inside the LaGrange 20-yard line.

Millsaps (0-2) carried a 21-14 lead into the fourth quarter. The Panthers' first possession of the quarter ended with Kenny Reeves intercepting a Michael May pass at the Majors' 12-yard line. But the defense stiffened, forcing a three and out and R.J. Miles' 18-yard punt return set the Panthers up at the Millsap 40.

Lindley had five carries for 25 yard on the nine-play drive. He kept the drive going with a 7-yard run on fourth and two at the Majors' 21. Lindley scored from two yards out finish the drive and Josh Stripling's extra point tied the game at 21 with eight minutes remaining.

Millsaps' defense forced a turnover and the Majors took over at the Panthers' 49 with 5:15 left in the game. Konner Joplin's 22-yard completion to his brother, Kegan, set the Majors up at the Panthers' 14-yard line. But on the next play, Julious Allen lost the ball, with Kyle Sanders recovering for the Panthers at the 13.

The Panthers punched the ball out to the 28 before having to punt the ball away. The Majors got the ball at the LaGrange 48 with 37 seconds left. The threat ended two plays later as Prewett tipped Konner Joplin's pass and came down with it at the Panthers' 28.

Millsaps got the ball first in the overtime period. On third and one at the Panther 16, fullback Chris Skinner was tripped up by Nick Griffin for no gain. Instead of attempting a field goal, Millsaps went for it on fourth down. Konner Joplin's pass for Bryce Haddad was underthrown and the Panthers took over.

Lindley ran three straight plays down to the Majors' 14. Quarterback Drew Carter hit Miles on a slant pattern for 13 yards to the 1-yard line. Lindley ended the game on the next play, going into the end zone standing up for the 27-21 final.

In the first half, the Panthers took a 7-0 lead on Millsaps' first possession of the game. Prewett stepped in front of Konner Joplin's first pass of the game and went 37 yards untouched for the first score of the game.

Millsaps tied the game on the first play of the second quarter. Shane Bowser, who ran for a game-high131 yards, broke a few tackles at the line of scrimmage and raced down the Millsaps sideline 63 yards to make it 7-7.

The Panthers answered the Majors' score in 77 seconds. The Panthers covered 60 yards in just four plays. Carter hit Riley Hill down the sideline from 38 yards out for the touchdown. Hill carried a Millsaps defender the final three yards into the end zone. The Panthers carried the 14-7 lead into halftime.

Millsaps came out in the second half and retook the lead. The Majors had drives of 60 and 56 yards to go up 21-14 after the third quarter. Bowser and Skinner each scored on 1-yard runs to finish the drives.

Carter finished with 185 yards passing in the game, despite being sacked seven times. Hill led the Panthers with six receptions for 79 yards and the touchdown. Stripling tied his own school record with a 64 yard punt in the second quarter.

The Panthers' next four games are on the road beginning next week at Maryville College.

Football

Panthers top Millsaps 27-21 in OT