Box Score SEWANEE, Tenn. –
Jacorin Thomas scored on a two-yard run in the first quarter for Sewanee but Maryville ran off 23 straight points in a 23-9 Scots victory over the Tigers in the football season opener for both teams Saturday in Maryville, Tenn.
The Tigers tossed four interceptions in the contest, three in the second half, by three different quarterbacks. Thomas rushed 26 times for 54 yards but was sacked three times. Sewanee managed 204 yards of total offense, completing 12-of-24 passes for 113 yards.
Maryville quarterback Bryson Rollins finished 15-of-28 passing for 243 yards with one TD while Griffin Swinea rushed for two scores. Despite the turnovers, the Sewanee defense limited the Scots to 307 yards and 3-of-10 on third downs.
The Tigers took advantage of pass interference and facemask penalties on the Scots and a 13-yard completion from Thomas to
Dawson White late in the first quarter. Two plays later Thomas rushed two yards for the score for a 7-0 lead.
Maryville found the end zone in the second period, with Rollins completing three consecutive passes for 47 yards before a 24-yard run from Swinea, but Brennon Sayler missed the extra point and Sewanee took a 7-6 edge to the halftime locker room.
The Scots marched 80 yards on 10 plays on their opening possession of the third quarter, set-up by a 45-yard completion to Jaden Jones. Bryson Claiborne gained 13 yards on a pair of carries and Swinea posted the final two yards for the score. Rollins rushed for the two-point conversion and the home team led, 14-6.
Balint Rendessy recovered a fumble for the Tigers late in the quarter at the Maryville 32, but three plays later, Thomas tossed an interception, ending the drive. The Scots drove 69 yards on 10 plays on the ensuing possession, taking more than five minutes off the clock, capped by a 20-yard field goal by Salyer.
Another interception for Sewanee gave the ball back to the Scots near midfield and eight plays later, Rollins found Nick Dagel for a seven-yard TD.
Malcolm Shaw returned the fumbled extra point for a two-point conversion for the Tigers, but Maryville led 23-9 with just over four minutes remaining.
Jayden Bragg led Sewanee down the field on the ensuing drive, completing passes for nine and 14 yards before a sack. He recorded two more completions for 30 yards for the Maryville six-yard line and a penalty negated a touchdown. Bragg's pass into the end zone in the final seconds was also picked off.
Sewanee opens the home schedule next week, facing Westminster College at 1 p.m. at Harris Field.
