/seasons/2017/contrib/20170911shpma2

Rhodes suffers home opening loss against Pomona-Pitzer

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Memphis, Tenn. - An early offensive push gave Rhodes College football a 28-7 lead, but Pomona-Pitzer put up a 31-point comeback to win their season opener 38-31. 

"I thought we came out and played fast early which is something we talked about," said head coach Jim Ryan. "We have to do a better job eliminating mistakes and penalties on both sides of the ball. We are a very young football team and are seeing improvement each week as we look ahead to start SAA play".

Rhodes' offense got off to a hot start under the lights Saturday in their home opener as they led 28-7 in the second quarter over Pomona-Pitzer, but the Sagehens put up a 31-point comeback to win their season opener 38-31. Pomona-Pitzer scored 31 straight points before Rhodes found their way onto the scoreboard on a field goal after a 10-drive possession near the beginning of the fourth quarter. 

Pomona-Pitzer broke up Rhodes' 28 first-half points on a 51 yd run by Aseal Birir near the end of the first quarter. 

All four of Rhodes' touchdowns were on passes by quarterback PJ Settles. He connected with Josh Lucas for a 20 yard pass while Josh Loud and Cord Given also scored touchdowns from the air. 

Right before halftime, the Sagehens made a 24 yd completion to David Berkinsky, the longest scoring pass by either team. Rhodes' Adam Martinez connected with Settles for a 43 yd completion for the longest catch of the game.

Near the end of the game, the Lynx made back-to-back tackles for losses but ran out of time after the Sagehens punted for a touchback. 

Senior kicker Kyle Edmiston averaged 64.8 yards. Three of his six kickoffs were touchbacks. Chase Redd made a 39 yd field goal for Pomona-Pitzer while Edmiston completed one from 33 yards out.

Lucas finished the night with 72 receiving yards, two touchdowns and averaged 28 yards on three returns. Two of those returns were for 30 yards. Berkinsky led the game with 79 yards. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Holt tallied three solo tackles and seven assists. Zac Stuart made four solo tackles and four assists while D'On Coofer recorded seven total tackles. Coofer also tallied a sack for an eight-yard loss. 

Up Next: The Lynx open Southern Athletic Association play next weekend when they travel to Berry College for a 6 p.m. EST kickoff.

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
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Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
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