GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Football celebrated a monumental occasion with a dominant victory over Rhodes College in the brand new Multi-Purpose Sports Complex at Dice Field, 44-20. The story of the Pirates offensive success was the offensive line and run game with 296 yards on the ground. The Pirates move to 2-5 overall and 2-2 in the SAA.
Southwestern finally returned to campus for the first time since 1950 in a project that brought the Pirate community together on Saturday with over 2,000 fans on Saturday who gave the Pirates an immense home field advantage. The new stadium offered an intimate viewing experience only a few yards away from the Pirate bench along with standing room pavilion areas. The day would not be possible without the generous donations of the Pirate community.
The Pirates failed to score on their first two drives, but captain
Jameer Martin created a fumble and
Seth Jammer returned it to the Lynx 19. Southwestern settled with a field goal before Rhodes countered with a touchdown to conclude quarter one, 7-3.
Southwestern turned to senior quarterback
Jacob Smith.
Jonathan Martin Jr. and Smith pounded the rock down the field before Smith connected with
Graydon Thompson for the first Pirate touchdown in the new stadium. However, Rhodes made it 14-10 on a 13-play drive. Another big Smith to Thompson 44-yard connection put the Pirates in the redzone. Southwestern punched it in as Smith found
Reece Cutrer. A failed extra point after a Pirates personal foul sent both squads into half as the Pirates led 16-14.
The Pirates completely dominated the second half on both sides, 28-6. Smith used his legs to run for a 61-yard touchdown scamper.
Caleb Costantino created sacks on the next drive to force a punt. However, muffed punt led to favorable Rhodes field possession as they cut the Pirates led to 23-20.
Alec Hargis made it 26-20 to open the fourth quarter with a field goal. Smith broke another huge rushing play for 66-yards and a touchdown as the senior was completely dicing the Lynx defense.
Samuel Williams took a rush on a misdirection jet sweep for the two-point conversion, leading 34-20. On the final two drives Hargis knocked in another field goal and
Devin Baylor rushed in a long touchdown to seal the homecoming victory.
GAMES NOTES
- The crowd was sell out for the stadium opener in an unforgettable day.
- Smith stole the show with 175 yards passing and 180 yards rushing.
- He combined for four touchdowns.
- Martin continues his historic season one of the best defensive players in the league.
- He finished with 11 tackles and one forced fumble.
- The senior is only six tackles away from also breaking the single-season record of 85.
- The defensive line was strong with six sacks as Jaylon Hardeman and Costantino both had two.
- Jaylon Greer picked up an interception.
- The offensive was moving bodies with ease with 296 yards rushing.
- Thompson returned from injury with seven catches on 90 yards.
UP NEXT
Southwestern stays home with a 1 p.m. game against Millsaps College on next Saturday.
