Millsaps Majors football

Last updated
Millsaps Majors football
First season1920
Athletic directorDonald Brooks
Head coach Aaron Pelch
StadiumHarper Davis Field
Location Jackson, Mississippi
Conference Southern Athletic Association
Past conferences Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
All-time record38035636 (.516)
ColorsPurple and White [1]
         
Website GoMajors

The Millsaps Majors football team represents Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. They compete in the NCAA's Division III and the Southern Athletic Association. [2] Millsaps's all-time record in football is 380 wins, 356 losses and 36 ties (.516). The gridiron Majors have posted two undefeated regular seasons in their history (1980 & 2008), earned three NCAA playoff tournament berths (1975, 2006 & 2008) and claimed six Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championships (1991, 1996, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009). Its major rival is Belhaven University.

Contents

History

Prior to 1964

1930 Western Union Telegram: Millsaps College beats Mississippi State University (then Mississippi A&M) in football, 19-13. 1930 Western Union telegram Millsaps College Mississippi State University.jpg
1930 Western Union Telegram: Millsaps College beats Mississippi State University (then Mississippi A&M) in football, 19–13.

Millsaps fielded its first intercollegiate football team in 1920. From 1920 to 1963 the Majors accumulated a 131–174–30 record over 40 seasons (no team was fielded in 1942, 1943 or 1945). [3]

Between 1920 and 1959 the Majors met their rival Mississippi College Choctaws in 39 games, constituting the historic Backyard Brawl rivalry between the two schools. During that time the Choctaws claimed a 24–9–6 lead in the series, which was discontinued after 1959.

The Harper Davis era (1964–1988)

In 1964, Harper Davis took over as the Majors' head coach. A Clarksdale, Mississippi native, Davis had been a four-time All-SEC selection as a defensive back at Mississippi State from 1945 to 1948 [4] who went on to a brief professional career. [5] Davis's tenure at Millsaps got off to an inauspicious start: The Majors finished 0–8 in 1964, followed by losing seasons in two of the next three years. From there, however, Davis elevated the program to one of the most competitive in the South among the small college ranks, with 19 winning seasons between 1968 and 1988.

In 1975, Davis guided the team to its first-ever berth in the Division III playoffs, where the Majors lost to eventual national champion Wittenberg in the semifinal round to finish the year with a 9–2 record. [3] Five years later, in 1980, the Majors completed their first and only undefeated season to date. With Davis at the helm, the team went 9–0, racking up 350 points (38.9/game) while allowing opponents just 31 (3.4/game), recorded five shutouts and won four games by more than 50 points each, including setting the school record for points in a game in an 84–0 drubbing of Landmark Baptist College. [3] The highlight of the season was an 8–7 victory over Central Florida's up-and-coming football program, played before 12,793 fans at the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando. [6] It was Central Florida who returned to Jackson the following season and snapped the Majors 13-game winning streak dating back to the final contest of the 1979 season, 13–6. [3]

Davis retired after the 1988 season, having guided the Majors to a 140–78–4 record (.631) during his 25 year-tenure. All of the Majors' previous coaches had accumulated just 131 victories in 40 seasons.

After Davis (1989–2005)

After Davis stepped down, his longtime assistant, Tommy Ranager, was named to lead the football program. The 1989 season marked the first time the Majors played as a conference affiliate and not an independent team, having joined the expanding Collegiate Athletic Conference. In 1991, Ranager's Majors finished the year 7–2, including a 3–1 conference mark that earned Millsaps a share of the first conference championship of the newly restructured and renamed Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and Ranager conference "Coach of the Year" honors. [3] In 1994, however, Ranager's Majors finished 4–6 (2–2 SCAC), marking the team's first losing season since 1977, and followed that with a 2–7 (0–4 SCAC) campaign in 1995, prompting the program to seek new direction.

Ron Jurney, who succeeded Ranager, guided the Majors to an 8–2 (4–1) finish and a share of the program's second SCAC championship in his first season in 1996, earning him conference "Coach of the Year" honors. The Majors snapped Trinity's streak of 12 consecutive victories by a 13–10 margin in the season finale in Jackson to share the SCAC title with the Tigers. However, Jurney's teams over the next three seasons never won more than three games in a season, accumulating a combined record of 8–22 (2–15 SCAC), resulting in Jurney being relieved of his post after the 1999 campaign.

Former Mississippi State head coach Bob Tyler, who guided the Bulldogs to several successful seasons during the 1970s, was hired to replace Jurney. Under Tyler, Millsaps and Mississippi College renewed their historic Backyard Brawl rivalry in 2000. The much anticipated game was played at Memorial Stadium in Jackson before more than 10,000 fans, with the Majors kicking the winning field goal with 16 seconds left for a 20–19 victory. Since the series was renewed, the Majors and the Choctaws have faced off in the opening week of every season except 2005, when the teams did not meet. Tyler led the team to a .500 record in 2000 (5–5, 2–4 SCAC) and a winning season in 2001 (6–4, 3–3 SCAC), however, when the Majors finished the 2002 season with five consecutive loses, all against conference opponents, resulting in a disappointing 3–6 (1–5 SCAC) record, the program again opted to make a change.

In 2003, Millsaps hired David Saunders to fill Tyler's vacated post, making him the program's fourth coach in the fourteen seasons since Harper Davis's retirement. Saunders had previously been the Recruiting Coordinator on David Cutcliffe's staff at Ole Miss. After three unsuccessful seasons resulting in a combined 7–21 record (5–13 SCAC), Saunders returned to the Rebels to join Ed Orgeron's staff.

Resurgence under DuBose (2006–2009)

After just one season at Millsaps, defensive coordinator Mike DuBose was promoted to head coach to replace Saunders in 2006. DuBose had previously been the head coach of Alabama's football team from 1997 to 2000, leading the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship in 1999. DuBose brought a bright football mind and a new-found confidence and enthusiasm to the program that produced results few could have foreseen.

2006

DuBose's first season of 2006 got off to a rocky start. The Majors were hammered 52–28 by Mississippi College in the season-opening Backyard Brawl game, which returned after a one-year hiatus in 2005. The Majors then lost their next two games in heartbreaking fashion, by a combined total of four points. However, DuBose's team managed an incredible turn-around that shocked the SCAC, when the team went on to win their next six games to set up a showdown with perennial SCAC juggernaut Trinity in the season finale. Each team entered the contest at 5–0 in conference play, meaning the winner would receive the SCAC's automatic playoff bid and claim the SCAC title outright.

2007

Having established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the SCAC, DuBose and the 2007 Majors, led by a large group of seniors and returning starters, set their goals high, aiming to repeat as SCAC champions and gain another playoff berth. The season began on a sour note, however, when Millsaps suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of Mississippi College in the Backyard Brawl. Millsaps, having led comfortably for most of the game, took a 26–6 advantage into the fourth quarter. However, as the Majors were resting their starters and putting less experienced players into the game, the Choctaws began to find a rhythm. DuBose never returned his starters to the game as his team's lead began to dwindle and Mississippi College roared back with three touchdowns in the final quarter to claim a 27–26 victory.

2008

The 2008 season was a very successful season. The Majors rolled through the regular season, going 10–0 and outscoring their opponents 442 to 132. The team avenged 2007's crushing loses at the hands of Mississippi College and Trinity, pummeling the Choctaws 42–6 in the eighth edition of the renewed Backyard Brawl and punishing the Tigers 56–27 in San Antonio.

The Majors captured their third consecutive SCAC championship, winning outright to earn the program's third NCAA tournament berth, became the first team in the program's history to reach double digit wins and climbed to their highest ever national ranking, #3, before finishing the season 11–1 and ranked #12 nationally.

Once again, DuBose was named the conference's "Coach of the Year" and senior quarterback Juan Joseph was the SCAC's "Offensive Player of the Year" for the third consecutive season. Sophomore wide receiver and return specialist Michael Galatas was named the conference's "Special Teams Player of the Year" and freshman running back Shane Bowser was the SCAC's co-"Newcomer of the Year." In all, 20 Majors were named to the All-SCAC first team, second team and honorable mention lists.

2009

In 2009, the Majors finished 5–1 in SCAC play to again earn a share of the conference title. The team's fourth conference championship in as many years was added to the accomplishments of the winningest senior class in the program's history, who finished their four-year careers with a 33–10 overall record.

However, the team had hoped to attain another NCAA playoff berth, a cause derailed by three painfully close loses. First, the Majors lost to their rival Choctaws in two overtimes in the season-opening ninth edition of the renewed Backyard Brawl. Millsaps won their next three games, including an emotional 24–6 victory over Trinity after a week in which Coach DuBose's wife Polly underwent the first of several breast cancer surgeries that took place during the season. [7]

The team finished the season on a positive note, handily dispatching of their last four opponents, including a homecoming victory over previously undefeated Centre. A 61–7 dismantling of Sewanee the following week secured the program's share of a fourth consecutive conference title.

Junior return specialist Michael Galatas was named the SCAC's "Special Teams Player of the Year" for the second consecutive season, the fourth consecutive season the award went to a Major, and junior linebacker Will Hawkins was the conference's "Defensive Player of the Year", and a first team All-American. [8] A total of 20 Majors were voted to the all-conference first, second and honorable mention teams.

After DuBose (2010–present)

On March 1, 2010, Aaron Pelch was named as DuBose's successor. Pelch, a former Weber State University player and 2001 graduate, was a defensive assistant for DuBose's Majors from 2006 to 2008, before joining Tom Cable's Oakland Raiders staff as a special teams coach in 2009.

2010

Pelch guided the 2010 Majors to a 7–3 (5–1) record in his first season, but the team saw its streak of 4 consecutive SCAC championships snapped by virtue of a 21–35 home loss to DePauw, who finished the year 6–0 in conference play. The Majors' 2011 senior class tied the record set by the previous year's senior class of most career victories, with 33 in a four-year span. For the 5th year in a row, the Majors' offense was the SCAC's highest scoring unit.

Related Research Articles

Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Football stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.

Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is an outdoor football stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, United States. Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium has been the home stadium of the Jackson State Tigers football team since 1970. Originally known as War Veterans Memorial Stadium, it was later known as Hinds County War Memorial Stadium. It was redesigned and enlarged in 1960 and Ole Miss vs. Arkansas dedicated Mississippi Memorial Stadium in 1961 before a capacity crowd of 46,000. With political support from Ole Miss and Mississippi State and leadership from Ole Miss Athletics Director Warner Alford, Mississippi Memorial Stadium was enlarged to 62,500 in 1981 and on September 26, 1981 Ole Miss and Arkansas again dedicated the facility before 63,522.

Michael Lynn DuBose is an American football coach, most recently serving for Opp High School in Opp, Alabama. His most recent college coaching experience was serving as defensive line coach for the University of Memphis. DuBose came to Memphis from Millsaps College, where he was the Majors' head coach from 2006 to 2009. He resurrected the school's struggling football program by winning outright or sharing a conference title in each of his four seasons there. DuBose is best known for his four-year stint as the head football coach at his alma mater, the University of Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship in 1999.

West Virginia Mountaineers football American college football team

The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of college football. West Virginia plays its home games on Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium on the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers compete in the Big 12 Conference.

Mississippi College Choctaws

The Mississippi College Choctaws are the athletic teams of Mississippi College. The Choctaws are full members of the Gulf South Conference. The college sponsors teams in football, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, golf, soccer (women's), volleyball, track and field, cross country running, equestrian (women's), and table tennis.

Pittsburgh Panthers football Football team representing the University of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Panthers football program is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football competition, now termed the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, since the beginning of the school's official sponsorship of the sport in 1890. As of the 2013 season, Pitt competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Millsaps–Mississippi College rivalry

The Millsaps–Mississippi College rivalry is a sports rivalry between the Millsaps College Majors and the Mississippi College Choctaws. It chiefly manifests in the college football matchup, known as the Backyard Brawl as both schools are located near to Jackson, Mississippi. The colleges compete in Division III of the NCAA, Mississippi College in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) and Millsaps in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA).

2007 Trinity vs. Millsaps football game

The 2007 Trinity vs. Millsaps football game is best known for the memorable play that occurred in the game's last two seconds. On October 27, 2007, the NCAA Division III 19th-ranked Trinity University Tigers threw 15 lateral passes and scored a 61-yard touchdown to win a game against the 24th-ranked Millsaps College Majors as time expired in the game. Media sources called the play the "Mississippi Miracle" or "Lateralpalooza." ESPN and other sources said the play was probably "the longest play in college football history" in terms of how much time the play took to complete. On January 7, 2008, the final play of the game was named the Pontiac Game Changing performance of the year.

Millsaps Majors sports teams in the athletic program of Millsaps College above

The Millsaps Majors is the nickname for the sports teams of Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi and their colors are purple and white. They participate in the NCAA's Division III and the Southern Athletic Association.

Trinity Tigers athletics program of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas

The Trinity Tigers is the nickname for the sports teams of Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. They participate in the NCAA's Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). The school mascot is LeeRoy, a Bengal tiger. In the 1950s, LeeRoy was an actual tiger who was brought to sporting events, but today LeeRoy is portrayed by a student wearing a tiger suit. Early in its history, the school participated in Division I/II athletics, but by 1991 the entire program made the move to Division III, at which time it joined the SCAC.

John Stroud is a retired American basketball player and coach who played four years at the University of Mississippi, before being drafted by the Houston Rockets in the second round of 1980 NBA Draft as their first pick. Following his playing career Stroud coached for 32 years at various levels.

Norman Bradley Joseph is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi from 2005 to 2013. Joseph served as the head football coach at Belhaven College from 1998 to 2000 and at Louisiana College in 2004.

Juan Joseph was a professional Arena football quarterback who also played American and Canadian football. He last played for the Lafayette Wildcatters of the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL). He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football for the Millsaps Majors. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Backyard Brawl is an American college football rivalry between the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and West Virginia University Mountaineers.

The Mississippi College Choctaws football team represents Mississippi College. The school's teams are known as the Choctaws. Its major rival is Millsaps College in nearby Jackson. After a more than 40-year hiatus, the two teams began meeting on the football field again in 2000. The rivalry is dubbed the Backyard Brawl.

Harper Davis American football player and coach

Julius Harper Davis Jr. is a former American football player and coach. He played professionally as a defensive back in the All-America Football Conference and the National Football League (NFL). Davis served as the head football coach at Millsaps College from 1964 to 1988, compiling a record of 136–81–4.

The 2006 Millsaps Majors football team represented Millsaps College as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference during the 2006 NCAA Division III football season.

The 2007 Millsaps Majors football team represented Millsaps College during the 2007 college football season. Having established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the SCAC, DuBose and the 2007 Majors, led by a large group of seniors and returning starters, set their goals high, aiming to repeat as SCAC champions and gain another playoff berth. The season began on a sour note, however, when Millsaps suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of Mississippi College in the Backyard Brawl. Millsaps, having led comfortably for most of the game, took a 26-6 advantage into the fourth quarter. However, as the Majors were resting their starters and putting less experienced players into the game, the Choctaws began to find a rhythm. DuBose never returned his starters to the game as his team's lead began to dwindle and Mississippi College roared back with three touchdowns in the final quarter to claim a 27-26 victory.

The 2008 Millsaps Majors football team represented Millsaps College during the 2008 college football season. The 2008 season was a very successful season. The Majors rolled through the regular season, going 10-0 and outscoring their opponents 442 to 132. The team avenged 2007's crushing loses at the hands of Mississippi College and Trinity, pummeling the Choctaws 42-6 in the eighth edition of the renewed Backyard Brawl and punishing the Tigers 56-27 in San Antonio.

The 2009 Millsaps Majors football team represented Millsaps College during the 2009 college football season. In 2009, the Majors finished 5-1 in SCAC play to again earn a share of the conference title. The team's fourth conference championship in as many years was added to the accomplishments of the winningest senior class in the program's history, who finished their four-year careers with a 33-10 overall record.

The 2010 Millsaps Majors football team represented Millsaps College as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division III football season. On March 1, 2010, Aaron Pelch was named head caoch to succeed Mike DuBose. Pelch, a former Weber State University player and 2001 graduate, was a defensive assistant for DuBose's Majors from 2006 to 2008, before joining Tom Cable's Oakland Raiders staff as a special teams coach in 2009.

References

  1. "MC Sports Information" . Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  2. "Millsaps College Athletics". Millsaps.edu. Millsaps College. Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Millsaps College Sports Information. "ISSUU - 2009 Millsaps College Football Media Guide by Millsaps College Sports Information". Issuu.
  4. 2009 Mississippi State football media guide Archived 2012-11-06 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Harper Davis". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  6. Leigh Torbin. "ISSUU – 167-170 – Year by Year by Leigh Torbin". Issuu.
  7. "Birmingham Sports". al.com.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-13. Retrieved 2016-01-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)