Millsaps rallied for a 30-29 win over Berry on Saturday, taking the lead on a late two-point conversion before a 51-yard field goal attempt by the Vikings fell short as time expired at Harper Davis Field.
The victory kept Millsaps (7-2, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) in contention in the conference playoff race, behind Trinity (8-1, 5-1). Berry (6-3, 3-3) entered the game receiving votes in the D3football.com Top 25 poll.
Millsaps trailed 29-14 after Berry scored twice in the third quarter. The Majors began their fourth-quarter comeback when Tameron Patterson broke through for a 59-yard touchdown run. Freshman quarterback Carl Reed Jr. ran in the two-point conversion, making it 29-22.
After Millsaps regained possession with 4:08 remaining, sophomore quarterback Grant Bizjack connected with Davis Dare for a 6-yard touchdown. The Majors went for two to take the lead. Bizjack pitched the ball to Patterson, who passed to Dare; Dare then found Sean Johnson for the conversion and a 30-29 advantage.
Berry moved into Millsaps territory on its final possession, but the Majors stopped the Vikings on two passes at the Millsaps 33-yard line. Berry’s ensuing 51-yard kick was short.
Patterson led Millsaps with a career-high 133 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Reed added 99 yards on the ground and a rushing score. Bizjack completed 12 of 16 passes for 80 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Dare had a team-high 37 receiving yards, a touchdown and the pass on the decisive conversion. Cole Williams led both teams with nine tackles, including seven solo stops, and intercepted a pass. Millsaps recognized eight seniors before the game.
Millsaps is scheduled to close its regular season against Maryville College on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Maryville, Tennessee. The game is listed for noon Central time.
