By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director

After a nailbiting come-from-behind road win, the Centenary football team will aim for a sweep of the Austin College ‘Roos in a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference contest on Saturday as the Gents celebrate Homecoming with kickoff set for 6 p.m. at Atkins Field.

The Gents (3-4, 3-2 SCAC) recorded a thrilling 28-21 victory over the Lyon College Scots last Saturday in Batesville, Ark.

Centenary scored the winning touchdown, a 26-yard pass from Tre Smith to Kobe Chambers, with 15 seconds remaining in the game.

Austin College (1-6, 1-4 SCAC) fell 55-17 at home to Texas Lutheran last Saturday. This marks the second meeting between the two teams this season after the Gents posted a 36-17 win over the ‘Roos in Sherman, Texas on Sept. 21.

“It feels great to be back home this week to face a talented and well-coached Austin College team,” said Centenary head coach Byron Dawson.

“We need to be prepared to perform at a high level on Saturday. Each week, our aim is to improve on the little things, master the fundamentals, and execute as a team.”

Facing a seven-point deficit with only 3:35 remaining in the game, the Gents quickly moved 64 yards in only six plays in 1:41 and junior Bobby Shanklin Jr. capped the drive with a 3-yard TD run and sophomore Vance Feuerbacher added the tying PAT to knot the game at 21-21 with just 1:54 left.

Centenary’s opportunistic defense then came up with a game-defining play on Lyon’s next possession as freshman defensive back Jacob Wilson, an Evangel product, intercepted at the Gents’ 11 and returned it 24 yards.

Centenary took possession in the tied game with only 53 seconds and moved 34 yards in five plays before Smith and Chambers connected for the game-winner.

Freshman defensive Jacob Black sealed the comeback win with an interception on the first play.

The Gents ran 72 plays for 390 yards and had 24 first downs as Smith passed for a season-high 310 yards. Centenary’s 390 total yards are the second most in a game this season, behind only the 443 racked up in the first meeting against Lyon (a 35-14 home win on Oct. 5).

Chambers was the Gents’ top receiving target as he hauled in nine catches for 134 yards and one TD. Junior Josh Ware of Southwood led the way on the ground with nine carries for 41 yards and one TD, and Smith finished 29-41 with his season-best 310 years and a TD with no interceptions. Vance Feuerbacher led the way on defense with eight solo tackles (10 total tackles with 1 sack and 2 TFL).

The Gents are averaging 303.3 yards per game on offense – 206.3 passing and 97.0 rushing and 20.7 PPG. Chambers is the most dynamic offensive weapon with 35 catches for 441 yards and three scores. Chambers is second in the SCAC in receiving yards/game at 63.0.

Wilson is tied for third in interceptions with three and his teammate, sophomore Bryan Washington, is fourth with two.

Sophomore defensive D’Qavion Lemons of Southwood ranks fourth in the league in tackles for loss (6.0) and is tied for fifth in sacks (3.0).

Fans away from Atkins Field can track the action online.

LIVE STATS: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/fball/2024-25/boxscores/20241026_9ld9.xml

STREAMING VIDEO: https://www.ktalnews.com/gocentenary/watch-live-centenary-college-sports-2024-2025/

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu