MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Hendrix College football lost 27-24 to Berry College in a battle for first place of the Southern Athletic Association at Valhalla Saturday afternoon.

Both teams entered the game undefeated in conference, but the Vikings (6-1, 5-0) came out on top, despite the Warriors (4-2, 3-1) outearning them 475-319 in total offense.

The game was scoreless through the first quarter, but Hendrix opened the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal by junior Steve Crenshaw. The Warriors then converted on an on-side kick and scored with 7:56 left in the half on a Dayton Winn four-yard run to go up 10-0.

Berry countered with a 10-play, 66-yard drive capped by an Austin Lowe one-yard run. After forcing Hendrix to punt, the host team scored on a 75-yard drive with a three-yard pass from Dale Jackson to Chris Lilly giving Berry a 14-10 lead at the break.

The Warriors fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and the Vikings recovered. Jackson threw to Lilly for a 26-yard score on the next play, but the extra point kick was missed, giving Berry a 20-10 advantage. Hendrix' punt on the next drive was blocked and ran back by Tristen Cline 28 yards to go up 27-10.

With 10:40 left in the third quarter, junior quarterback Seth Peters hit sophomore Ben Luedtke for a 21-yard touchdown to make the game 27-17. Freshman corner back Chandler Marquardt forced a fumble on the Vikings' next drive, with the Warriors recovering. Hendrix then made the game 27-24 with a 36-yard pass from Peters to junior Ethan Hoppe.

The Warriors had a chance to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. After Spencer Smith converted a fake punt on fourth and four for a 19-yard gain, Hendrix was later held to a 29-yard field goal attempt was missed wide left with 6:55 left in the game.

Hendrix got the ball back on their own 7 with 1:14 left to play. The Warriors managed to drive to the Berry 34, but Peters' final pass was intercepted in the endzone by Shayne Edwards with nine seconds left to secure the victory for the Vikings.

Hendrix held the ball for more than 36 minutes and ran 83 plays for 475 yards and an average of 5.7 per play. Berry ran 61 plays for 319 yards - an average of 5.2 per game.

Hendrix Notes
- The Hendrix defense allowed 320 yards or less for the third consecutive game and the fourth time this season.
- Winn rushed 30 times for 131 yards and a touchdown. It was his fifth 100-yard performance of the season. Winn also had six catches for 39 yards.
- Winn's touchdown tied his own record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 13.
- Peters was 26-of-39 passing for 292 yards, two TDs and an interception.
- Sophomore Nate Hodapp tied his career high with nine catches for 84 yards.
- Sophomore linebacker Jake Brantley led the Warrior defense with 11 tackles, a career-high, and 2.5 tackles for a loss.
- Senior safety Caleb Shannon had nine tackles.
- Junior corner back Shaquille Grant recorded six tackles and two pass breakups.
- Jared Goff had a tackle for loss and Jake Falleur had half a tackle for loss.

Berry Notes
- Jessie Tuggle led Berry with 18 carries for 83 yards.
- Jackson was 13-of-24 for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
- Lilly caught six passes for 65 yards and two scores
- Matt Farinella recorded 13 tackles.
- Evan Breakspear had 11 tackles and a sack.

Up Next
Hendrix will travel to the University of Chicago next Saturday for another SAA matchup.