Belhaven University Athletics

JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven forced three early turnovers and made a late push Thursday night, but Millsaps took control through the middle two quarters to hand the Blazers a 36-20 loss at Harper Davis Field.

Belhaven (0-1) scored first after its defense forced a turnover on each of Millsaps' opening three possessions.

Alex Desarzant jarred the ball loose on the Majors' third play of the night, and Xander Roberts recovered it at midfield. Ian Burleson immediately connected with John Davis for 42 yards to set up the Blazers inside the Millsaps 10-yard line. Burleson finished the five-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run to give Belhaven a 7-0 lead.

The Blazers came up with another takeaway on the next Millsaps possession. John Ross Craven forced a fumble on third down, and Jimmy Byrd recovered it. Belhaven moved into Millsaps territory before back-to-back false starts forced a punt.

Bralen Steele intercepted Grant Bizjack on the Majors' third series, giving the Blazers another opportunity near midfield. Millsaps answered with an interception of its own two plays later, and Belhaven was unable to add to its early lead.

The Majors settled in during the second quarter. Connor Babin connected on a 41-yard field goal before Derrick Tasby Jr. scored on a five-yard run to put Millsaps in front, 10-7.

Belhaven responded with one of its best drives of the half, using runs of 23, seven and six yards from Julien Tabor to move into Millsaps territory. A penalty pushed the Blazers backward, however, and Lyndell Boatman's 43-yard field-goal attempt missed.

Millsaps followed with a 67-yard touchdown drive and added another score with 19 seconds remaining in the half to take a 17-7 advantage into the locker room.

The Majors stretched their lead with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Bizjack scored on a five-yard run before finding Tameron Patterson for a 23-yard touchdown, making it 30-7 with 4:23 left in the period.

Belhaven found a spark late in the quarter. Burleson hit Will Jones for a 61-yard gain down to the Millsaps 1-yard line, and Cayson Williams scored on the next play to pull the Blazers within 30-14.

The Blazers continued to battle in the fourth. Starting at midfield, Belhaven converted a fourth-and-eight when Burleson found Davis for 21 yards to the Millsaps 1. Jacob DeAngelo powered across the goal line on the next snap, cutting the deficit to 30-20 with 5:18 remaining.

Belhaven got the ball back with 2:33 to play, but Millsaps forced a fumble and recovered at the Blazers' 30-yard line. Patterson scored on a 25-yard run two plays later to put the game away.

Burleson completed 15 passes for 232 yards and added a rushing touchdown. Tabor led the ground game with 94 yards on 16 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt.

Davis caught five passes for a game-high 110 yards, while Jones' 61-yard reception was Belhaven's longest play of the night. Kyle Norris averaged 45.7 yards on seven punts, including a long of 57 yards.

Craven led the defense with eight tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. Terrell Sutton added seven tackles and a tackle for loss, while Mathew Cacamo finished with six stops. Roberts recorded five tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Belhaven will return to action next Saturday, September 12th, for its home-opener against East Texas Baptist. Kickoff from Belhaven Bowl Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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