At the midpoint of the 2024 season, the Millsaps Majors football team stands at 2-2, having shown resilience and determination. Under head coach Brandon Lechtenberg, the Majors are in a strong position to make a push in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) despite tough losses to Bridgewater and Centre College. The Majors have displayed a balanced offensive attack, a stout defense, and effective special teams play. Let’s dive into the team’s performance so far.
Season Overview
Millsaps opened the season with a thrilling 23-21 victory over Belhaven, which set the tone for a competitive year. A hard-fought loss to Bridgewater followed, but the Majors bounced back with a 31-21 win over Sewanee. Unfortunately, they came up just short against Centre College, losing 24-20 in a close contest. Millsaps has scored 88 points so far this season while allowing 94, demonstrating their ability to stay competitive in tight games.
Offensive Standouts
The Majors’ offense has been driven by quarterback Cole Canatella, who has thrown for 758 yards with five touchdowns. His leadership on the field has kept the Majors in every game, completing 61.82% of his passes and averaging nearly 190 yards per contest. Canatella’s best performance came against Sewanee, where he threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Majors secure the win.
The rushing attack has been spearheaded by Chase Jacobs, who has rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. James Walker has also contributed with 132 rushing yards. Together, the two have formed a reliable backfield duo, helping balance the Majors’ offensive approach.
The receiving corps has been led by Willie Elliott, who has 18 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown. Elliott’s consistent play has provided Canatella with a go-to target in crucial situations. Connor Ladner has also stepped up with 179 receiving yards and three touchdowns, while Kaiden Reese has contributed 90 receiving yards and a score.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Majors have been formidable, with linebacker Nehemiah Coalson leading the team with 34 tackles and 4.0 tackles for loss. Tre Jones has been a playmaker in the secondary, recording 28 tackles and an interception returned for 35 yards. Jamison Rankins has also been a force on defense, tallying 27 tackles and a key pass breakup.
The Majors’ defense has been particularly effective at creating turnovers, with four interceptions and five forced fumbles through the first four games. This ability to generate takeaways has been a significant factor in keeping games close.
Special Teams Contributions
Special teams have played a crucial role in the Majors’ success this season. Punter Ethan Klapatch has averaged 43.95 yards per punt, with five punts traveling over 50 yards. His ability to flip field position has been vital in close games. Kicker Ty Miller has been reliable, converting 10 of 12 extra points and nailing two field goals, including a long of 35 yards.
Key Games Recap
Millsaps vs. Belhaven (23-21)
The season opener against Belhaven was a thrilling contest that saw the Majors come out on top. Chase Jacobs rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Canatella threw for 167 yards and two scores. The defense came up big with an interception by Tre Jones, helping secure the win in the final moments.
Millsaps vs. Sewanee (31-21)
In their second win of the season, the Majors dominated Sewanee on the road. Canatella passed for 207 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense forced three turnovers. The running game, led by James Walker’s 60 rushing yards, helped control the clock and maintain momentum throughout the game.
Millsaps vs. Centre College (20-24)
In a tough loss to Centre College, the Majors put up a valiant fight. Despite the close score, Millsaps’ defense was impressive, holding Centre to just 24 points and forcing multiple punts. However, the offense struggled to capitalize on key drives, which ultimately led to the narrow defeat.
Areas for Improvement
While Millsaps has been competitive in all of their games, there are areas where they can improve. The offensive line has allowed 14 sacks, which has put pressure on Canatella and disrupted the rhythm of the offense at times. Additionally, the Majors have converted just 35.82% of their third-down attempts, indicating a need to improve in critical situations to extend drives and control the game.
Defensively, the Majors have allowed an average of 370.5 yards per game, including 234.25 passing yards per contest. Shoring up the secondary and improving coverage in passing situations will be key as Millsaps heads into the second half of the season.
Looking Ahead
With a 2-2 record, Millsaps is poised to make a strong push in the SAA as they face key matchups against Rhodes, Berry, and Birmingham-Southern. The continued leadership of Canatella at quarterback, the solid running game from Jacobs and Walker, and a defense capable of creating turnovers will be essential to the team’s success.
If the Majors can tighten up their pass protection, convert more third downs, and improve their pass defense, they have the potential to finish the season on a high note and contend for a spot in the SAA playoffs.
