By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director
SHERMAN, Texas – HISTORY! The Centenary football team achieved a milestone moment on Saturday night in its return to the gridiron as the Gents recorded their first NCAA victory since the 1940s.
It was on the road, a 36-17 win over the Austin College Kangaroos in a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference contest at Jerry E. Apple Stadium.
The Gents (1-2, 1-1 SCAC) were playing their second of three-straight road contests as they faced the ‘Roos (0-3, 0-1 SCAC) following a road loss last weekend at Texas Lutheran. They’ll wrap up the road swing next Saturday at East Texas Baptist in nearby Marshall.
Centenary took control after a 3-3 halftime tie.
Senior Enrique Hernandez capped an 11-play, 64-yard drive with a 21-yard field goal at the 7:51 mark of the first quarter for a 3-0 Centenary lead. Austin College tied the score late in the quarter following a 13-play drive that covered 54 yards.
The Gents quickly moved ahead after halftime, then took command on a fumble return for a touchdown and maintained at least a two-score lead afterward.
Sophomore Ahmad Garner scored on a 3-yard run at the 13:06 mark of the third quarter to make it a 9-3 game. Freshman Ronald Findley Jr. hit sophomore Rubin Seastrunk for a 5-yard TD pass with 7:48 left in the quarter and despite a second straight missed extra point, the Gents had a confidence-building 15-3 lead.
Austin College drew within 15-10 before Centenary’s defense then came up with a huge play. Sophomore Gavin Jack scooped up a fumble and ran it in for a 60-yard TD and junior Bobby Shanklin Jr. ran for the two-point conversion to extend the Gents’ lead to 23-10.
Junior quarterback Zin’Tavious Smith tallied on a 25-yard run with 7:31 left to play and Centenary’s lead grew to 29-10. The ‘Roos scored on a 10-yard TD pass at the 6:14 mark to close within 29-17.
Smith scored his second rushing touchdown with 5:10 left, this time from 38 yards out to rebuild a comfortable 36-17 advantage.
The Gents’ defense recorded four sacks, had six tackles for loss, and forced for fumbles, recovering three. Centenary also posted season highs in both rushing yards (246) and total offense (382).
Smith posted the program’s first 100-yard rushing performance in decades with 10 attempts for 135 yards and his two scores.
Freshman defensive back Delarrious Marshall from Green Oaks and sophomore defensive tackle D’Qavion Lemons from Southwood each had eight tackles to pace the Gents.
Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu