Scots Limit Sewanee to One TD in 23-9 Triumph
MARYVILLE – Maryville's defense lived up to its preseason billing and limited Sewanee to seven offensive points in a 23-9 opening week victory here Saturday.
The Scots trailed 7-6 at halftime but put together scoring drives on three of their four second-half possessions to flip the game in the home team's favor.
Griffin Swinea capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive the first time Maryville had the ball in the second half by scoring from 2 yards out for his second TD. Bryson Rollins converted the 2-point PAT, and the Scots led 14-7.
Brennon Sayler rebounded from a missed PAT in the first half to convert a 20-yard field goal early in the fourth, and then Rollins found Nick Dagel from 7 yards out in the back of the end zone to make it 23-7. The PAT snap from center got away and Sewanee's Malcolm Shaw scooped it up and raced 75 yards for a Tigers 2-pointer that kept the outcome in doubt over the final 4:27.
Sewanee drove to the Maryville 3-yard line on the ensuing drive but on fourth down with under a minute remaining, Jake Brock picked off a tipped pass and Maryville had its opening-week win.
"We've got a solid defense, with a really strong defensive front and a really strong defensive box," Maryville head coach Ben Fox said. "Those guys are physical and tough and have played a lot of football. I was proud of how they played today."
Sewanee Scored First
Sewanee's only touchdown drive of the game went seven plays for 61 yards in the first quarter, resulting in quarterback Jacorin Thomas' 2-yard run. The Scots aided the cause with 30 yards in penalties.
For the first half, Maryville had 76 yards in penalties to Sewanee's 78 total yards. The Scots ended the game with 10 penalties for 106 yards.
"They had the one touchdown drive where we had some penalties and kind of gave them the points," Fox said. "But other than that, we were never really threatened. I was happy for them."
Four Interceptions
The Scots intercepted four passes. In addition to Brock, there were Javaris Gallaher, Jordan Lacey and Justin King stepping in front of Tiger pass attempts.
Tyler Bost with nine and Jacob Berven with eight were the tackle leaders. Alex Mase contributed two sacks for minus-8 yards, with Berven and Tyler Barrett posting one sack apiece.
Offensively, Rollins finished 15-of-28 passing for 243 yards and one touchdown against one interception. The pick snapped a streak of 168 consecutive attempts without an interception, dating to last season. The touchdown pass was the 45th of his career and he now has 5,599 all-time passing yards – extending his school records in both categories.
Balanced Running Game
Maryville used three different running backs. Swinea rushed 13 times for 65 yards and the two touchdowns. He was spelled by Bryson Claiborne, who carried seven times for 22 yards. And then Jermaine Abner provided a fourth-quarter spark with nine carries for 44 yards.
The Scots finished with 126 rushing yards and a 3.9-yard average.
"We had too many balls on the ground, so we have to be better at ball security," Fox said of Maryville's two fumbles and one lost. "Griffin and Bryson are both big, physical runners. Jermaine is more physical than you think, but he is very fast. When teams get a little tired and that speed comes in fresh, that is hard for teams to adjust to.
"It was a great suggestion by Coach Jake Flaherty toward the end of the game to get Jermaine in there. He just changes how the game is played."
Receivers Shine
Maryville's top four receivers looked sharp. Steph Carter Jr. had four catches for 58 yards, while Dagle posted four for 45 and the fourth-quarter TD. Brock Skelton and Jaden Jones had similar numbers, Skelton going three for 55 and Jones two for 56. Jones had the longest play from scrimmage for the Scots with a 45-yard completion from Rollins.
MC with its fourth straight win over Sewanee has its longest winning streak in the series dating to 1906. The Tigers still lead 17-16 in all-time matchups in a rivalry that resumed last season after a 10-year hiatus.
The Scots stay in the Southern Athletic Association – their new home beginning next season – next Saturday with a trip to Centre. Kickoff is 7 p.m. from Danville, Kentucky.
"I'm sure they are going to be much improved," Fox said of the Colonels. "Hopefully, our guys are up for the challenge."
Maryville won 34-23 last year to snap a six-game Centre winning streak in the series. At 67 meetings – next Saturday is the 68th – this is Maryville's second-longest football series, trailing only Emory & Henry with 72.