JACKSON, Miss. – The Millsaps football team brought the sword back to campus after downing crosstown rival Belhaven University, 23-21 at Harper Davis Field on Thursday night.
Fans packed the stands and braved spotty rain showers and were treated to a thrilling contest that was decided in the final moments on a botched snap by the Blazers.
Freshman quarterback Cole Canatella completed 15-of-20 passes for 103 yards and threw for a score through the air in his collegiate debut. He added 65 yards on the ground.
Classmate Chase Jacobs tallied two touchdowns in his first collegiate appearance, while gaining 46 yards on nine attempts. Freshman James Walker led the rushing attack with 87 yards on 19 carries.
Fellow first-year student Kaiden Reese opened his Major career with a touchdown catch and 25 receiving yards. Sophomore Willie Elliott paced the receiving group with 67 yards off five receptions. Freshman Anthony James Jr. also added 47 yards off three catches.
On special teams, senior Ethan Klapatch booted six punts for 274 yards, averaging 45.7 yards per kick. Klapatch recorded a long of 55 yards.
Freshman Ty Miller tallied his first field goal in a Major jersey with a successful 35-yard attempt. Classmate W.H. Carver numbered two returns for 54 yards with a long of 33 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior Nehemiah Coalson led the way with 11 total tackles and a quarterback hurry. Coalson also accumulated a (0.5 TFLs) with three solo stops against the Blazers.
Sophomore Tre Jones tallied 10 total tackles, seven solos and 2.5 TFLs. Classmate Luke Bridges recorded seven total tackles, five solos and a tackle for loss.
Junior Malachi Pasteur (1.5 TFL) and sophomore Nathan Johnson (0.5 TFL) both registered five tackles, three assists and two solo stops.
Senior Darren Labit finished with two solo tackles, two assists and an interception that stalled the Blazer offense in the fourth quarter.
Junior Matthew McDonald posted four total tackles, as sophomore Jamison Rankins and freshmen Cole Williams and W.H Carver all posted three total tackles.
Freshmen Micah McKay (1.5 TFLs) and Myles Johnson (forced fumble, two tackles, 1.0 TFLs) also made solid contributions defensively.
Belhaven scored on their opening drive early in the first quarter following a 24-yard pass completion to move ahead, 7-0.
Millsaps looked to respond on the ensuing drive, but a 37-yard field attempt was blocked.
The Blazers would add another touchdown with 4:42 minutes remaining in the first quarter off a 75-yard pass.
In the start of the second quarter, Canatella would find Reese on a 14-yard pass to move the Majors down the field to the Blazers 2-yard line.
On the next play, which capped off a 13-play, 73-yard drive, Jacobs would rush up the middle to put the Majors on the board, cutting the deficit to 14-7.
With eight minutes and 55 seconds remaining before halftime, a Miller 35-yard field goal would narrow the Blazers lead down to 14-10.
Each team would possess the ball three more times with the Blazers still carrying the lead at 14-10 to end the half.
In the third quarter, Millsaps would keep the Blazers out the end zone and take the lead themselves. Canatella found Reese wide open on a six-yard pass in the back of the end zone, following 14 plays that covered 81 yards. Miller's third point-after make of the game would give the Majors their first lead of the game, 17-14.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Jacobs would rush for his second collegiate touchdown on a seven-yard run through the middle of the line with 14:50 remaining. The extra point would be missed.
Belhaven now trailing 23-14, would complete a 30-yard pass for a touchdown to cut the deficit down to 23-21 with the Majors still on top with 7:43 to play.
The Blazers looked poised to retake the lead with just under five minutes on the clock when Labit hauled in a crucial interception at the Millsaps 12-yard line.
Klapatch then sent the ball out of the end zone on a punt to midfield on the next offensive possession. Belhaven now tried to put the game away either by a touchdown or field goal with 3:27 to work with.
The visitors marched up the field on 10 plays as the clock counted down. Tre Jones made a crucial stop on the 4-yard line to prevent the Blazers from scoring on an outside run.
With 44 seconds remaining, the ensuing snap would sail over Belhaven quarterback Blake Kirby's head. Wills would recover the bouncing fumble all the way down to the Millsaps 38-yard line to give the Majors back the ball on offense.
The Majors would kneel the game out in victory formation and dispatch their cross-street rivals, 23-21 at the Harper Davis Field. Millsaps students would storm the field and briefly celebrate as the Majors regained the sword in the rivalry.
The Majors will remain at home to face John Melvin University at Harper Davis Field on Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 7 p.m.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the football program this year follow the Majors on X and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook or visit gomajors.com.