MOUNT VERNON, Ga. – Milligan University flag football program began their 2026 campaign on Saturday morning in Mount Vernon, Ga. on the campus of Brewton-Parker Christian University. A low-scoring bout ended up in the Buffaloes' favor as the clock struck zero, as they notched an effective 24-0 win in their opener.

The early part of the game was a bit sloppy for both sides, as the Buffs tossed an interception on their first drive of the tilt.

A BPC punt on their next drive gave the Buffs the ball back at the 29 yard-line of the Barons. Unfortunately, their drive would end in a turnover on downs, giving the ball back to the hosts with two minutes left in the first quarter.

After a four-yard rush to begin their drive, Brewton-Parker tossed an interception into the arms of Parker Bridges, who took it back 18 yards to the endzone for the game's first points. A Bridget Keyser two-point conversion pass to Lilly Rumrill gave the Buffaloes a 8-0 lead at the quarter's conclusion.

A three-and-out by the Barons gave the ball right back to the Milligan offense. The Buffs moved down the field quickly, taking just three plays to get to pay dirt. AN 18-yard pass by Keyser to Krista Quinn began the drive, followed by a nine-yard toss to Abbylin LaPrise. Finally, a 23-yard connection with Ashton Whearley scored the team's second TD of the battle. A two-point conversion to Whearley made it 16-0 with 7:37 left in the first half.

After three plays, Milligan had the ball back in their possession, as the second interception of the day was grabbed by the MU defense, this time from Annabelle Rhodes. The Buffaloes' drive began at the BPC 12 yard-line, and it concluded several plays later on the second passing TD of the day from Keyser. This time, she hit Rumrill for a three-yard score. That came after converting a first down on a 12-yard pass to Whearley on third down and 11 on the previous play. Rumrill completed the octopus by snatching the two-point conversion reception to give Milligan a commanding 24-0 lead.

That would be all the scoring in the contest, as it all came before the intermission. Neither side could get their offense going whatsoever in the second half, but for the Buffaloes, that mattered very little.

Milligan held BOC to only four first downs in the entire contest, while they converted 11 times. Net yardage was also heavily in their favor, as a 253-91 edge was boasted by Milligan.

Keyser threw for a total of 254 yards on a 23-of-39 day throwing the pigskin. She hurled two touchdowns, and also was picked off twice, once in each half.

The Milligan receiving game was led by Whearley, who hauled in six passes for 90 yards and a TD, with a two-point conversion reception, as well. K. Quinn had three catches for 54 yards, and Rumrill caught the ball four times for 51 yards and a score. LaPrise and Caitlin Quinn had three snags apiece, as LaPrise had 27 yards and C. Quinn racked up 20. Four other players, Sophia Anderson, Jeylise Padilla, Sam Urso and Christain Davis also had receptions.

Jasmine McDowell rushed for six yards on two carries and Whearley had three carries for four yards. Sa'Keiah Newell also had a run for two yards.

Defensively, the team had three interceptions from Bridges, Rhodes and Chloe Jackson in the contest. Bridges returned hers for a touchdown. Newell was responsible for the team's lone sack of the day, and she also led the team with three flag pulls. LaPrise and Jackson each had two pulls and McDowell, Rumrill, Anderson, K. Quinn and Courtney Cummings rounded out the list of players with a pull.

Next for Milligan is a trio of contests at home next weekend, as the Buffaloes start the fun by hosting Mars Hill on Friday, Feb. 27 at Citizens Bank Stadium in Elizabethton at 6 p.m. under the lights.

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