GEORGETOWN, Texas — Maryville College rebounded in a big way Saturday, rolling past Southwestern (Texas) 44–13 on the road at Birkelbach Field. The Scots dominated on both sides of the ball to improve to 6–1 overall and 3–1 in Southern Athletic Association play.
The Scots wasted no time setting the tone. On the Pirates' opening drive, freshman linebacker Camren Gunn scooped up a loose ball and sprinted 29 yards for a touchdown to put Maryville ahead early. Minutes later, running back Chris Cooper finished off an eight-play, 74-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run for a 14–0 lead.
After Southwestern responded with a short touchdown run, Maryville's defense clamped down. Cooper added a 45-yard score early in the second quarter, and a safety from defensive end Mark Collier pushed the margin to 23–6. Quarterback Bryson Rollins connected with Steph Carter Jr. for a 42-yard touchdown late in the half to send the Scots to the locker room with a 30–6 advantage.
Rollins and Carter linked up again in the third quarter on a 34-yard strike to stretch the lead to 37–6. Rollins finished the day 21-of-38 passing for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while Carter led all receivers with five catches for 114 yards and two scores.
Cooper continued his strong season, rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, while Jermaine Abner added a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Maryville held Southwestern to just 231 total yards and forced three fumbles, turning two into scores. Gaven Aldridge powered the front with four tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble, and Collier chipped in a sack and a safety. Gunn and Chuck Hammack each recovered fumbles, and the Scots limited the Pirates to just 2-of-14 on third downs.
Ethan Ford pinned Southwestern deep all afternoon with eight punts for a 43.5-yard average, while Jackson White booted three touchbacks on seven kickoffs.
Maryville outgained the Pirates 444–231 and controlled the clock for nearly 33 minutes. The Scots return home next weekend for a key SAA matchup against rival Rhodes.
