Milligan Flag Football Hammers Emmanuel, Coasts to Eighth Win of 2025 Season

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. — Milligan University's flag football team played their final home contest of the 2025 campaign against the Lions of Emmanuel University on Thursday evening at Citizens Bank Stadium on the campus of Elizabethton High School. The game's result was never in doubt, as the Buffaloes ended up with a 30-point win over the Lions, 42-12.

Following two scoreless drives, the Buffaloes picked up their first points of the game with 0:20 to play in the first quarter via a Bridget Keyser touchdown pass to Sam Urso from five yards out. Keyser then tossed a two-point conversion to Sarah Rankhorn to give MU an 8-0 advantage.

On their next drive, the Buffs picked up their second score on an eight-yard TD pass from Keyser to Caitlin Quinn, which was followed by another successful two-point play from Keyser to Elaina Greene. That made it 16-0 with 5:25 to go in the first half.

After an Emmanuel punt, the Buffs scored with 1:50 left in the half. They scored their third TD on a 25-yard pass from Keyser to Rankhorn, which was finished off by a pitch to Chloe Jackson, who ran it into the end zone. The following two-point conversion from Keyser to Rankhorn made it 24-0 as the battle went to the intermission.

The Lions would score to start the third quarter, but would fail to get their conversion, making it 24-6. Milligan would then stretch that lead back to 24 points with a TD of their own on a three-yard pass to Krista Quinn, making it 30-6.

Another Emmanuel punt gave MU the ball back, and they took advantage with a 10-yard TD pass from Keyser to Rankhorn to make it 36-6.

Both sides would score one more TD in the fourth quarter, as the Buffs closed out the game with a Sophia Ortiz nine-yard rush to pay dirt, ending the contest with a 42-12 victory over the Lions.

Five touchdown tosses came out of the hand of Keyser in this one, while K. Quinn was the only receiver with multiple scores.

Blakelee Ollis nabbed an interception in the first quarter of the game in a strong defensive effort by the Buffaloes.

Milligan flag football (8-2) now will play tomorrow afternoon in a pair of contests, hosted by Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Ky. The Buffs will face Siena Heights at noon and William Woods at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Mar. 28.