ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – The No. 9 Milligan University flag football squad played their first home game of the 2026 season under the lights at Citizens Bank Stadium in Elizabethton, Tenn. on night against the Mars Hill University Lions. The Buffs dominated from the opening whistle and won all four quarters, cruising to a 66-0 victory.

Milligan started the game by scoring in the first two plays. The drive started with a short completion and then a 57-yard pass from Bridget Keyser to Krista Quinn got the Buffs in the end zone. A one-point conversion pass from Keyser to Sam Urso put the Buffs ahead 8-0.

The Buffs struck fast in their next possession as well. After forcing a three-and-out, Keyser found Ashton Whearley for a 20-yard touchdown pass, but a failed one-point conversion kept their lead at 14.

The Milligan defense did a good job of getting their offense back on the field fast, as they forced a second three and out on the Lions second drive. Then, they drove the ball down the field, until Keyser connected with Caitlin Quinn for an 8-yard touchdown. After a successful one-point conversion attempt, the Buffs quickly opened a 20-0 lead.

The Buffs continued to stifle the Lion offense and move the ball down the field efficiently to grow their lead to 27-0. Then, Whearley was able to jump in the passing lane for an interception and do the rest of the work herself, taking the ball all the way back into the end zone for a Buffaloes touchdown. The Buffs were also able to convert on another conversion attempt to extend their lead to 34-0 to end the first quarter.

The second quarter started with Milligan getting the ball back after surrendering their first first down of the game, but limiting the Mars Hill offense after that. With the ball back in their own territory, the Buffs were able to gradually move the ball down the field, until Keyser found Annabelle Rhodes open down the field for a 32-yard touchdown pass to make the score 40-0 just before the end of the half.

The score would remain 40-0 coming out of halftime, and with the game out of reach for the Lions, the game moved to a running clock in the second half. However, Milligan continued their offensive display by scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Whearley stepped in to play quarterback and found Krista Quinn for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The night was capped off later by another Whearley to K. Quinn connection, this time for 13 yards. This gave the Buffs a 66-0 lead with 1:22 to play and would eventually be the final score.

Milligan significantly outgained Mars Hill in the victory, as a 251-52 edge was posted by the Buffs. Keyser threw for a total of 215 yards on a 15-of-18 day throwing the pigskin. She hurled six touchdowns, with no interceptions. Whearley finished her day quarterbacking with 36 yards on 6-of-8 attempts with two touchdowns.

The Milligan receiving game was led by Whearley, who hauled in two passes for 44 yards and two TD's.K. Quinn had three catches for 13 yards and two touchdowns. McDowell led the team in receiving yards with 54 and added a touchdown. C. Quinn, Rhodes and Rumrill also had receiving touchdowns on the day.

Whearley rushed for 12 yards on one carry to lead the team and McDowell also had a carry for seven yards.

Defensively, the team had three interceptions from Taylor Thrasher, Whearley and Ashley Wilson in the contest. Whearley returned hers for a touchdown. Parker Bridges led the team with six flag pulls. Thrasher had three and Christian Davis and K. Quinn each had two, while Blaklee Ollis, Jessica Hudson, Jeylise Padilla, Abbylin LaPrise, Dani Shropshire, Chloe Jackson, Whearley and Wilson all had one, respectively.

Next for Milligan (2-0), a pair of contests will take place at home tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 28, as the Buffaloes start the day with Huntingdon (Ala.) at 11 a.m. and later face off with Campbellsville (Ky.) at 2 p.m. inside Citizens Bank Stadium.