Mississippi College got on the board first when Colt Freeman, freshman running back from Olive Branch, Mississippi, blocked a punt and returned it seven yards for a touchdown in the opening quarter. The Choctaw defense forced a punt and the Choctaws used a flea flicker and found Colt for a 33-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 23-14 in the final minutes. The Choctaws were forced to punt on the next possession, but the Statesmen muffed the kick and Freeman jumped on the loose ball. Placekicker Tyler Poe nailed a 26-yard field goal to give MC a 26-24 lead with 3:00 remaining in the third quarter.