Posted: Nov 15, 2025
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Caleb Balderas hit a 23-yard field goal with six minutes remaining in the game and Evan Davis picked off an errant pass on the ensuing possession as Austin College held on for a 16-14 victory over Centenary College in the first of three games on SCAC Championship Weekend Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium. Official Championships Website | Photo Album | Interview w/ Head Coach Tony Joe White, Jermiah Johnson and Evan Davis
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams had scoring opportunites on their first two possessions, but came away empty. Centenary had a 33-yard field goal attempt blocked (after a 14-play drive) on its opening drive and then lost a fumble on its next. Austin College turned the ball over on downs after a nine-play, 64-yard drive stalled and tossed an interception on its next possession.
- After stopping Centenary on fourth down on the Gents' third possession, Austin College finally found paydirt as quarterback Jaylon Talton scored from a yard out, culminating a 15-play, 71-yard drive, and the 'Roos led 7-0 with 3:08 remaining in the first half.
- Centenary responded quickly as running back Obadiah Butler burst through the AC front and dashed 63 yards to even the game at 7-7 with 2:25 remaining.
- Austin College put together a 6-play, 69-yard drive, with Talton finding Jermiah Johnson along the sideline who tiptoed into the endzone from 34 yards out with :57 remaining to give the 'Roos the 13-7 halftime lead.
- With the score still 13-7 and late in the third quarter, the Gents' Jirus Guy Jr., forced an Austin College fumbled near midfield and D'Colby Chambers scooped the ball and returned it to the 'Roos' seven-yard line with 21 seconds remaining in the quarter.
- Four plays later, Butler scored his second TD of the game and the extra point gave Centenary its first lead at 14-13 with 14:16 remaining in the game.
- Austin College responded with its most impressive drive of the game. The 'Roos marched 76 yards on 17 plays, eating 8:10 of clock, before settling for the 23-yard field goal from Balderas to regain the lead at 16-14.
- On its ensuing possession, Centenary was picked off by the 'Roos' Davis and, after picking up a crucial first down on fourth and one from its own 43, Austin College was able to kneel out the game.
- Austin College outgained Centenary, 386 to 291 total yards, with both teams leaning into the ground game. Austin rushed 52 times for 249 yards while Centenary had 38 rushing attempts for 218 yards.
- Both teams had three turnovers.
AUSTIN COLLEGE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Zyan Stewart: 29 carries, 134 yards
- Jaylon Talton: 5 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD (rushing) / 11-16, 136 yards, 1 TD (passing), 1 INT
- Jon Rawles Thompson: 13 carries, 47 yards
- Jermiah Johnson: 5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
- Pablo Cantu: 11 tackles (7 solo), 1 forced fumble
- Eliel Sandoval: 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery
- Evan Dennis: 4 tackles (3 solo), 1 interception, 1 pass breakup
- Tre Brewer: 7 tackles (6 solo)
CENTENARY COLLEGE STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
- Obadiah Butler: 17 carries, 142 yards, 2 TDs
- Brock Hamilton: 13-20, 80 yards, 1 INT
- Christopher Jackson: 8 carries, 27 yards
- Theopholius Dunn: 4 receptions, 32 yards
- Dwayne Mills Jr.: 8 tackles (6 solo)
- Chance Tyler: 8 tackles (6 solo), 1 INT
- Demetrus Gladney Jr.: 8 tackles (6 solo), 2 tackles for loss
- Devon Strickland: 8 tackles (6 solo)
- D'Colby Chambers: 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 fumble recover, 1 interception
NOTABLES
- Austin College President Steven O'Day, who is retiring at the end of the academic year, conducted the ceremonial opening coin toss.
- Saturday's game was the third time the two teams have played each other this season with Austin College sweeping the Gents in all three. Austin defeated Centenary 41-15 in Sherman on Oct. 4 in a non-conference game and went on the road to defeat Centenary, 20-10, last weekend in Shreveport.
- Centenary completes its season with a 1-8 overall mark; Austin College, which earned a fifth-place conference finish with the victory, will end the 2025 campaign with a 3-6 record.
