MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College football gave its home crowd a finish they won't soon forget. In a game filled with swings, momentum shifts, and big plays, the Scots capped off a thrilling 34-30 victory over Pikeville on Saturday with a lightning-fast touchdown drive that will go down as one of the program's most memorable moments in recent years.
The afternoon started like a track meet. Maryville scored on its opening possession as Jermaine Abner plunged in from three yards out. Pikeville immediately answered with a 44-yard sprint by Amon Williams, knotting things up at 7–7. But the Scots' offense, led by quarterback Bryson Rollins, wasted no time reclaiming control. Just 17 seconds later, Rollins found Zae Richardson on a 66-yard bomb for the Scots' second touchdown. Moments later, Rollins hit Jalen McCullough from 16 yards out to cap a nine-play, 89-yard march, and Maryville took a commanding 21–7 lead.
Still, Pikeville refused to go away. The Bears leaned heavily on Williams, who racked up 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback Xavier Malone, who completed 40 passes for 373 yards. Pikeville chipped away at the deficit, kicking two field goals and punching in a late touchdown to cut Maryville's lead to 27–20 by halftime.
The second half belonged to the Bears early. A 12-yard touchdown pass from Malone to Jordan Williams tied the game at 27–27 late in the third quarter, and an Isaac Smith 21-yard field goal gave Pikeville its first lead of the day at 30–27 with 13:03 to play.
For much of the fourth quarter, it looked as though that kick might stand as the game-winner. The Maryville offense stalled twice on Pikeville's side of the field, and the clock ticked under 90 seconds with the Scots still trailing.
That's when Rollins and the Maryville offense delivered magic. Taking over at their own 14-yard line with just 1:19 to play, the Scots went no-huddle. Rollins hit Steph Carter on a deep post for a stunning 68-yard gain, electrifying the home crowd of 5,576. Two plays later, Rollins connected with McCullough on an eight-yard touchdown strike, completing a 6-play, 86-yard drive in just 45 seconds. With only 35 seconds left, Maryville had snatched back the lead, 34–30.
Pikeville made one final desperate push, advancing the ball into Maryville territory, but the Scots' defense — led all afternoon by Grant Henderson's 13 tackles and Javaris Gallaher's eight stops — stood tall. As time expired, the Scots stormed the field to celebrate a heart-pounding win and a perfect 3–0 start to the season.
Rollins finished with 434 passing yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball to his talented receiving corps. Carter Jr. hauled in six passes for 159 yards, Richardson added 105 yards and two scores, and McCullough delivered two clutch touchdowns, including the game-winner. Running back Chris Cooper added 78 tough yards on the ground to balance the offense.
With the win, Maryville stays unbeaten at 3-0, while Pikeville falls to 0-4 despite a valiant effort. The Scots now turn their attention to the Sewanee Tigers and the SAA conference slate, carrying momentum — and a signature comeback — into the weeks ahead.
