Ross, Defense Lead 'Roos to Rout of Whittier

Madison Ross rushed for a career-best 207 yards and the Austin College defense returned three interceptions for touchdowns as the 'Roo football team topped Whittier 55-12 on Saturday afternoon in Whittier, California. The 'Roos are now 2-1 on the year, the first time since 2010 the team has been 2-1 to open the year.

Austin College also scored 55 points for the second time in three games, having previously defeated Hendrix 55-41 in the season opener. That win over Henrix had also given Ross his previous career-best game with 190 yards, a mark he topped on Saturday when he rushed 21 times for 207 yards with three touchdowns. Ross piled up 160 first half yards on just 12 carries as Austin College built a 27-3 halftime lead.

Whittier actually got on the board first with a first quarter field goal, which the 'Roos answered with a 31-yarder from Javi Reynoso to tie things up. Ross broke loose for a 57 yard touchdown to make it a 10-3 game, and Reynoso hit another field goal to make it 13-3 after the first quarter. Ben Bouchez got the defensive scoring started with a 52-yard interception returned for a score in the second quarter, and Ross added an eight yard run to make it a 27-3 game at the break.

Ross scored on a 15 yard run in the third quarter, which pushed him over 200 yards on the day and made it a 34-3 game heading into the fourth. Whittier added a field goal early in the fourth, but Bouchez added his second interception return for a score, this time from 45 yards away to make it a 41-6 game.

The Poets tacked on a touchdown but failed in their 2-point conversion attempt, and after Elijah Moore scored on a four yard run, Charles Eneh capped things off with a 41-yard interception return for yet another defensive touchdown to make it a 55-12 final.

Austin College piled up 336 rushing yards and 430 yards of total offense in the game. Cooper Woodyard finished the game connecting on 8-of-20 passes for 75 yards and added 49 rushing yards. Kane Norman chipped in 63 yards on 20 carries. Brooks Ward led the defense with 12 tackles, while Bouchez finished with three tackles and his two pick-sixes.

The 'Roos are on the road again next week when they take on Howard Payne on Saturday.