JACKSON – Seven years ago, Mike Dubose was preparing his Alabama Crimson Tide to take on archrival Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl with a trip to the Southeastern Conference Championship game on the line.

Thanks to running back Shaun Alexander, Dubose’s Tide took care of Auburn and then whipped Florida to win the 1999 SEC title.

Seven years later, Dubose has directed another, albeit much smaller, college football program in the Millsaps Majors to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship. It is Millsaps’ first conference title since 1996.

With the SCAC title came a bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Majors (7-3) will take on unbeaten Carnegie Mellon College (11-0) on Saturday in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dubose credits his defense, which includes three former Vicksburg Gators in the starting lineup, for turning the club around from an 0-3 start.

&#8220I made the decision back in the spring to go with a pretty complicated scheme on defense,” Dubose said. &#8220I knew it would probably hurt us in the early part of the season but I also felt it would pay off for us in conference play.”

Confused at first, which included a 52-28 season opening loss to Mississippi College, the Majors’ defenders eventually got a grasp on what Dubose wanted.

&#8220He has a very complex defense, but we have to give all credit to Coach Dubose because his philosophy is what has made us this year,” said Majors defensive tackle and former Gator Casey Younger.

&#8220We’re playing a scheme that puts us in the best position to make a play and that’s what we’re doing,” adds sophomore defensive back Marcus Harris. The former VHS corner has had an outstanding season and should earn All-Conference honors after leading the team with five interceptions.

The picks came in a two-game stretch that helped Millsaps toward its SCAC title and its first winning season since 2001.

&#8220Two came against DePauw and the other three came at Sewanee,” Harris said.

&#8220Marcus Harris has played extremely well for us and it seems the bigger the game, the better he plays,” Dubose said. &#8220He thrives on competition and steps up to take the challenge.”

Kline, a junior from Vicksburg, had to learn three roles in Dubose’s scheme.

&#8220I’m a nickel back in certain schemes, I’m a linebacker in certain packages, but for the most part, I’m a strong side safety,” said Kline, who has 39 1/2 tackles to rank fourth on the team behind Younger (41 1/2) and Harris (40).

&#8220It was frustrating early in the season because it seemed you had to be everywhere all the time. But as we got used to the system, it’s become all worth it,” Kline said. &#8220We had to struggle but that brought us together. It’s something we didn’t have at Vicksburg High, even though we had some good winning seasons there.”

Harris agreed.

&#8220We always had talent at Vicksburg, but here we play together as a team. Coach Dubose has brought us together,” Harris said.

Dubose says a lot of credit for the Majors’ improved play should go to Kline and Younger.

&#8220I think Ray played his best game of the season last Saturday against Trinity. He played with his eyes and started seeing those routes before they happened,” Dubose said.

&#8220Casey Younger is an excellent defensive tackle and has been a tremendous leader for us. He’s proved it by stepping up with his play,” Dubose added.

A fourth former Gator, Marcus Stokes, has seen time in seven games this season and should suit up Saturday.