FERRUM, Va. -- Ferrum College topped Shenandoah University 14-12 in its USA South Athletic Conference football opener this afternoon at home.
Box Score: Ferrum 14, Shenandoah 12
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers scored on
Roy Banks' 26-yard run at the 10:16 mark of the second quarter. QB
Marcus Mayo then connected with
Mike Vann for a 60-yard TD pass at 6:19 of the second quarter to put Ferrum up 14-0.
The Hornets' BL Smoot took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards back the other way for a touchdown, but the PAT was blocked and Ferrum led 14-6 heading into halftime.
Each team made two unsuccessful drives in the third quarter. Ferrum's first drive of the fourth quarter was stopped when Joe Lunsford picked of Ferrum starting QB
Matt Dobson at the Ferrum 47 yard line and returned it to the FC 29.
The Hornets drove 29 yards in seven plays, cashing in on Kevin Roberts' 5-yard run to make it 14-12 Ferrum with 7:35 left in regulation. The Hornets' two-point conversion failed when DB
William Kenney stopped Roberts before he could reach the goal line.
Ferrum went three-and-out on its next possession, and Shenandoah drove to its own 44 yard line before turning the ball over on downs with 2:26 left to play. The Panthers moved the ball just three yards before punting and giving the ball back to Shenandoah at the 1:16 mark. The Hornets started at their own 20 yard line and made it to the SU47 before time ran out.
Roberts had a game-high 102 yards rushing and a TD on 20 carries. QB Vern Lunsford was 11-28 passing for 78 yards and a TD. He was picked off once and was not sacked. Dionte Beatty made seven solo and five assisted tackles for Shenandoah. Mo Salih had five solo stops, two assisted tackles, and a sack.
Dobson went 2-8 passing with an interception and 25 yards. He also led Ferrum in rushing with 95 yards on 16 carries. Mayo went 2-3 for 74 yards with a TD and no interceptions. Kenney had two solo tackles, including the goal line hit that stopped Shenandoah's 2-point PAT late in the game, two assisted tackles and an interception.
On a rain-soaked afternoon, the Panthers had 311 yards in total offense, 212 on the ground and 99 passing. Shenandoah (1-3, 0-1 USA South) had 239 total yards, 161 rushing and 78 passing. The win gave Ferrum a 10-2 series lead.
Ferrum returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 4, at Averett University. The USA South contest gets under way at 1:00 p.m. in Danville, Virginia.
