MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Scots opened Southern Athletic Association play in convincing fashion Saturday, dominating Rhodes 38-3 at Crain Field.

The Scots scored 31 unanswered points through the first 29 minutes of the game and never looked back, improving to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the SAA. Rhodes fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Maryville's defense set the tone from the start, intercepting four Rhodes passes and holding the Lynx to just 136 yards of total offense. Rhodes managed only 46 rushing yards and 90 passing yards while converting 4-of-13 third downs.

The Scots needed just two possessions to take control.

Jackson White opened the scoring with a 33-yard field goal with 6:29 left in the first quarter. After the Maryville defense forced its first turnover of the afternoon, Jaxon Dabrowski finished a six-play, 37-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Scots ahead 10-0.

Maryville then turned a strong defensive effort into another quick strike.

After Rhodes was forced to punt from its own end zone, the Scots marched 91 yards in 10 plays, with Dabrowski finding Jalen McCullough for a 19-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

The duo connected again just over six minutes later, this time for another 19-yard score, giving McCullough two touchdowns on the afternoon and putting Maryville ahead 24-0.

Then came the defensive fireworks.

With 1:52 remaining in the first half, Kylan Hall stepped in front of a Taylor Haas pass and raced 41 yards for a pick-six. White's extra point pushed the lead to 31-0.

Rhodes finally got on the board just before halftime when Grady Jones connected on a 31-yard field goal, but the Scots carried a 31-3 advantage into the locker room.

Four Picks and Counting

Maryville's defense made life difficult for three different Rhodes quarterbacks, intercepting four passes and breaking up seven others.

Hall's 41-yard interception return was the biggest of the bunch, while Knox Kremblas added an interception and a 6-yard return. Aiden Relthford and Bryce Currie also recorded interceptions for the Scots.

MC also limited Rhodes to 2.7 yards per play on 50 offensive plays.

Maryville's defense recorded 41 tackles, led by Kain Ladd with five. Kylan Hall, Knox Kremblas and several others contributed heavily to a unit that consistently forced Rhodes into long-yardage situations.

Dabrowski Leads Balanced Attack

While the defense dominated, Maryville's offense produced one of its most efficient performances of the young season.

Dabrowski completed 24-of-33 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown.

McCullough led the receiving corps with four catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns. Zae Richardson added seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Teddy Orton caught four passes for 62 yards.

The Scots also ran effectively, piling up 161 yards on 37 carries. Mushaba Zulu led the way with 65 yards on 13 carries, while DaRell Brown added 43 yards on 10 attempts.

Maryville finished with 457 total yards, 24 first downs and 28:43 of possession. Rhodes managed just seven first downs.

The Scots added their final touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Dabrowski connected with Richardson for a 20-yard score, capping a 10-play, 91-yard drive and putting Maryville ahead 38-3.

From there, the Scots' defense took care of the rest.

Maryville remains on the road next week, as the head north to Centre for another SAA showdown.