Rodgers' career day helps keep Blue Jays undefeated

GREENVILLE, Ill. - Westminster College sophomore quarterback Scott Rodgers was the major reason for the Blue Jays ending their four-game losing streak to Greenville College.

Rodgers passed for a career-high 409 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for a score, as Westminster remained unbeaten with its 45-28 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference win Saturday over defending conference champion Greenville.

The Blue Jays - leading 26-14 - outscored the winless Panthers 19-14 in the fourth quarter to push their flawless UMAC record to 3-0. Westminster is 4-0 overall for the first time since the 1998 season.

Rodgers got the Blue Jays started when he connected with junior wide receiver James Gladstone on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 9 minutes, 15 seconds left in the first quarter to make it 6-0.

Sophomore running back Immanuel Gamble then gave Greenville (0-3, 0-2) a one-point lead on his 29-yard touchdown run at the 3:46 mark. However, Westminster went back on top 12-7 on Rodgers' 41-yard strike to senior running back Zain Gower with 2:24 to go in the quarter.

The Blue Jays trailed 14-12 at halftime, but Rodgers put Westminster in front to stay on his 1-yard TD run with 12:22 remaining in the third quarter. Gower extended the lead to 26-14 on the first of his two scoring runs, this one from 2 yards out, with 4:21 to play in the quarter.

After Gowers powered his way into the end zone on a 5-yard run with 13:58 left in the game. Rodgers then closed out the Blue Jays' victory with touchdown passes of 30 and 20 yards, respectively, to junior wide receiver Robert Williams and junior tight end Mac Findeiss.

Rodgers finished 30-of-44 with no interceptions as Westminster generated 551 yards of total offense. Givens topped the Blue Jays with game-highs of 11 catches for 127 yards, while Gower rushed for a game-high 119 yards on 25 carries.

Westminster's defense allowed 360 total yards while forcing three Greenville turnovers. Senior defensive back Kelvin Williams sparked the Blue Jays with 11 tackles (one for a loss) and a sack, while junior defensive back DeMarco Moorehead had two of Westminster's three interceptions.

The Blue Jays return to Illinois for a UMAC matchup at Eureka College at 1 p.m. Saturday.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.