Barton Overwhelms Panthers 34-20

 To say that the title of this post is not what I expected is an understatement of huge proportions. I am certain that in the pregame post, I made it pretty clear that this game is one Ferrum would win. They didn't, and it was not even close. Ferrum was beat pretty soundly.

First let me say that Barton is a much better 0-5 team than I thought they would be. They controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage by opening up holes for their running game, and effectively shutting the door on the Panthers running game. Ferrum was out gained on the ground 248 yards, to 74. Through the air, Ferrum fared better, as they outgained Barton 245 yards to 183 yards. The passing game accounted for all three of the Ferrum touchdowns, but Barton found the endzone twice through the air.

A missed xp, being stopped on a 2 pt. attempt, and having a punt blocked, tells you the struggles the special teams faced. On the opposite side of the ball, Barton had very similar punting numbers as far as average punt distance goes, but did not miss an extra point (4 of 4) and were 2 of 2 on field goals (52 yard,  43 yard) 

In looking back, I have decided that I must remember that Ferrum is still an infant in the D2 world. They have had some success, and this bolstered my optimism for this game, but Barton has some solid athletes, and stymied Ferrum most of the day, and realistically that should be expected.

Part of the disappointment is that this was homecoming, and I made the trip. The four and a half hour drive is worth it to get back on campus and reconnect with old friends, and just visit what I think is just a beautiful college. While a win would have been nice, I will focus on the fact that Ferrum is still developing as a D2 program, and given time, I think they will compete in the Conference Carolinas.

On to Cleveland Mississippi to take on non conference foe Delta State. Coming into this weekend, the Statesmen were ranked 25th in the nation, having only one loss.....to UNC Pembroke. They were open this past weekend, so their last win was against Barton, 45-0. Stay strong Ferrum, there are better days ahead.

Go Panthers!! 

Barton @ Ferrum

 It's Homecoming this weekend at Ferrum, and the thoughts of seeing old friends, swapping stories, and sharing laughs are many of the things that fans are looking forward to this weekend as they return to campus. With many activities slated, and tailgating bringing many people together, the atmosphere is just right for a good time. Strolling around the campus will be very nostalgic, and a trip to the Campus Store for souvenirs and some Ferrum swag is a must........but, there is a football game to play.

This week, the Panthers, coming off an exciting win last week, will host the Barton Bulldogs. While their record is meek (0-5) this team can put up points. They put up 28 against North Greenville, but for the season, they are averaging only 12 points per game, while giving up an average of 40 per game. On the surface, this may seem to be a very winnable game, and while it probably is, this is not the time for complacency.  Being too comfortable, and cocky could change your fortune. (This may have contributed to the second half stumble last week, but I think the coaching staff of Shorter was able to make some adjustments to put their team back in the game). At any rate, this, nor any team should be taken lightly.

What should we expect from Ferrum?  On offense, look for #5 Jahylen Lee to have a bounce back week, after only gaining 52 yards against Shorter. While he is on the Bulldogs radar, they may be just as if not more focused on Omarza Gray....and that would be a logical reaction as he set the Ferrum receiving yards record for one game with 203 yards.

On defense, look for the Panthers to again be laser focused, and very stingy to the Barton offense. I expect that this homecoming weekend will be a happy one for Ferrum fans, and provide a lopsided win for the Panthers. But if not lopsided, I will take a win, no matter the margin.

Enjoy the festivities, and the game. I'll see you there.

Go Panthers!

Panthers Show Huge Growth SpurtOutlast Shorter 28-25

 WOW!! What a game. I wish I could have been there, but I followed the Sidearm Stats as much as I could as I was working my p/t job.  With some excellent plays on defense and special teams, Ferrum held a 21-6 lead going into halftime. This first score came about through a blocked field goal by Ryan Schmidt. Shorter was set up for a 32 yard field goal when Schmidt came around the end like a rocket and blocked the kick. The ball was quickly picked up by Jamarion Montford, and he was off to the races leaving the Shorter pursuit in the dust. It was a 78 yard scoop and score, and that was just what the Panthers needed.

With the second quarter just underway, Shorter found the endzone with 14:20 left in the half. The extra point was blocked , again by Ryan "Rocket" Schmidt, and picked up again by Montford. While this too is returnable, Montford was quickly pulled down this time leaving the score Ferrum 7 Shorter 6. 

The quarter would progress to just over 6 minutes to play in the half when Foutz hit Omarza Gray on an 83 yard strike off of what was basically a screen pass. Gray turned on the jets and after breaking three tackles with determined running, he streaked to the endzone untouched. At this point, Ferrum led 14-6. The lead would extend to 21-6 when, with just 9 seconds left in the half, running back Aiden Vaught found the endzone from 2 yards out. The half would end with Ferrum holding a very comfortable lead.......but there are two halves to a football game, and Shorter would remind Ferrum of that quickly.

Ferrum received the kickoff to start the second half, and the Shorter defense shut them down immediately with a three and out. Neither team would make much progress in the third quarter until late in the stanza when Shorter quarterback Jeb Walls found Cole McCranie in the back of the endzone. The two point attempt was shut down by Ferrum, and the Panthers led 21-12. This is how the third quarter would end.

The fourth quarter would show that Shorter would continue to capitalize on the halftime adjustments they made, and at the 12:29 mark of the fourth quarter, the Shorter quarterback hit their wide receiver Simms for a 42 yard touchdown strike. The extra point was again missed, and the score was Ferrum 21 Shorter 18. On their next drive, Ferrum would go three and out, and  both teams struggled to have any offensive consistency through a good amount of the quarter. At the 7:45 mark, Ferrum quarterback Eli Foutz fumbled the snap, and the Hawks recovered at the Ferrum 12 yard line. Three plays later, the Shorter quarterback would scamper in for the touchdown, and with the converted extra point, Shorter would take the lead 25-21 with just 6:18 left in the game.

Ferrum would put together a drive that would take them to about their own 45 yard line but they turned the ball over on downs with just under 3 minutes left. Shorter would find themselves with 3rd down and 2 yards to go at the two minute time out. Ferrum held, and Shorter would punt on 4th down, pinning Ferrum deep in their own territory at the 7 yard line. On their first play with about 1:45 left, Ferrum would run for no gain. With no time outs left, Ferrum found itself in very tough circumstances. The next play would make all the difference. On a quick slant pattern on the right side, Ferrum's Omarza Gray would haul in his second touchdown pass of the day, this time a 93 yard pass to put Ferrum back up for good as they would secure the win, 28-25. Gray finished the day with 6 receptions 203 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. Gray and Schmidt were named Conference Carolinas offensive and special teams players of the week respectively. 

It was a good day for Ferrum, and I see a team coming together and getting better every week. This game showed the growth that the program is experiencing. There are good things to come.

Go Panthers!

Shorter @ Ferrum

The Shorter University Hawks travel to Ferrum, and will take on the Panthers at 1:00 p.m. This is Fan Appreciation Day, and this gives the fans an opportunity to bring two cans of food to the game in exchange for admission to the game. ($15.00 per ticket) The food collected is donated to a local food assistance program. This is a win win for everyone. A win win, could be turned into a win, win, win, if the Panthers can make the right moves against Shorter.

So far, both teams are sporting only one win this season. Shorter (1-4) have their lone win against Virginia University Lynchburg, and Ferrum (1-3) has their win over Shaw. Last week, Shorter came up just short against Chowan, falling 30-29.

Shorter is averaging just over 22 points per game (ppg), and are allowing opponents almost 28 ppg. They have a fairly balanced run vs. pass offense. They are averaging 149 rushing yards per game, and are averaging 119 yards through the air per game. On the ground, it seems that the Hawks rely on #2 Lanear McCrary. He will get the Lions share of the carries, but will be sharing the spotlight with #4 Charles Alia, and #3 Jeb Walls.

Ferrum will need to find another gear on both sides of the ball to come away with the win. The defense can shut teams down, and they will definitely need to be in a swarming mode to slow the roll of the Hawks. On offense, Ferrum needs to open up their playbook, and find some deeper passing routes, and possibly give the Hawks defense trouble by varying their attack on the ground. You know there are sometimes I miss the old Triple Option...I doubt this team has seen much of that.

This could be a really good game, but it could come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. If Ferrum can cause some turnovers, and cause some three and outs, win number two can be within reach. No matter the outcome, the price is right.

Go Panthers!

Ferrum Falls Hard at UNC- Pembroke 41-14

This will be a relatively short post. There is not a lot to say about this game. Ferrum had some bright spots, but the UNC-Pembroke Braves were just too much in most every phase of the game. When I look at the stats, Ferrum was not producing at a high enough level, and the Braves were. On offense, the numbers were not awful, but they need to out rush the opponent, and they just didn't. UNCP recorded 160 yards on the ground on 31 attempts, while Ferrum had 48 attempts, and only recorded 116 yards. My suspicion is that the Braves defense were just set up for the run, and Ferrum was likely outsized.

The passing game for the Panthers looked similar, as Foutz was 10 of 17 with 0 interceptions, but the total yardage was just 66 yards. The Panthers defense did account for 2 interceptions.

In the end Ferrum experienced some severe growing pains,  and came away from this one with a score that disappointed me , but maybe gave the team something to build on. The Braves are predicted to finish at least tied for first in the conference, and they were expected to win this game. Hopefully, Ferrum will come away from this game healthy, and can take some lessons from this, that in the end will make them a better team.

Go Panthers!

Ferrum @ UNC Pembroke

 As Willie would say..."On The Road Again". Ferrum is again travelling for the third game in four weeks. After a nice home win last week against CIAA foe Shaw University, the Panthers this week take the bus to Pembroke, N.C. to take on the 2-1 UNC Pembroke Braves. This will mark the beginning of conference play. UNC-P was picked as co champion of Conference Carolinas along with North Greenville. Ferrum was picked to finish 7th in the poll.

It is hard to say how Ferrum will fare in this, but if the poll is any indication, this will not be an easy game for the Panthers. The question is, is the poll a valid indicator? In my opinion, while it may be right about UNC-P finishing at or near the top of the standings at seasons end, I am not convinced that Ferrum will finish last. If I had to pick, I would have Ferrum 4th or no worse that 5th. As it turns out, the speculation really has no tangible meaning. What matters is how will the Panthers do Saturday?

A look at UNC-P:

The Braves running game has many backs, but through 3 games, it appears that #14 Tre Robinson seems to be the man carrying the mail most of the time.  In three games Robinson has rushed for a total of 150 yards and three touchdowns. There is also #7 Joel Felder, and #10 JaQuan Albright who contribute to the rushing offense. The passing game seems to be the main route of success for the Braves.....and did I mention that Tre Robinson is also the quarterback? So far, Robinson is averaging 200 passing yards per game, and has thrown for 5 touchdowns. He is 41 of 71 with 2 interceptions.

On defense, the Braves are giving up 25 ppg. Opponents are averaging 133 yards on the ground against them, and 188 yards through the air. It is worth noting that the Braves did defeat the #16 ranked team in the country Delta State 25-21 in their most recent game.

How will Ferrum Stack Up?

Ferrum is averaging 115 ypg on the ground, and just over 90 yards per game through the air. While these numbers may seem slight compared UNC-P, keep in mind that the Braves have not gone up against a D1 opponent, and Ferrum has. This will skew the numbers as they stand today.

Look for Ferrum to employ a balanced mix of running and passing, with Eli Foutz, Jahylen Lee, and Omarza Gray working to keep the offense moving. Defensively, I think Ferrum found some defensive momentum last week against Shaw, and I am hoping the players will continue to fly to the ball, and that the D unit can be successful in limiting the time of possession for the Braves.

This will not be an easy game, but I am feeling like Ferrum can make a strong showing today. If it is close at halftime, it could literally go either way. A win today would be unexpected, but it's not impossible.

Go Panthers!

Panthers Defeat Bears 14-6Pick Up First D2 Win

 For the first home game of the year, things turned out pretty doggone good for Ferrum. The Panthers hosted the Shaw University Bears, and went on to win their first  Division II football game. Ferrum started out, taking the opening kickoff at their own 6 yard line where Omarza Gray carried it 16 yards to the Ferrum 22 where the Panthers would start first and ten. Ferrum put together a 10 play drive taking the ball down to the Shaw 39 before the drive stalled and the Panthers had to punt. The punt was downed at the Bears one yard line, and everything looked good for Ferrum. 

After two false start penalties, Shaw found themselves between the 1 and the goal line with very little room to work......but that did not stop the Bears. They put together a 12 play drive that ended in the Ferrum endzone, and gave the Bears a 6-0 lead. The extra point was blocked by Ryan Schmidt, and the lead would stand through the rest of the first half.

After that score, Ferrum's coaching staff obviously made some adjustments, as the Bears would be denied the endzone the rest of the game. Ferrum, on the other hand, found the endzone twice in the second half. Ferrum's first score came at the 13:58 mark in the third. Ferrum kicked off in the second half, and excellent kick coverage gave Shaw the ball 1st and 10 at their own 5 yard line. Two plays later, Ferrum forced a fumble, and it was recovered by Panther Defensive Back Peja Brent. This gave the ball to Ferrum at the Shaw 3 yard line. 2 plays later, Running Back Aiden Vaught gave Ferrum their first score. Jon Davis added the extra point to give the Panthers a 7-6 lead. The defense held throughout the rest of the third quarter, and the fourth quarter started with Ferrum in possession and in the middle of a 12 play drive. A drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to WR Omarza Gray. With the extra point, Ferrum would lead 14-6, and that is all they would need.

While this was not a huge offensive display, Ferrum did what was necessary to win. They got the W, kept the at least one win in the season alive, and played as a unit. Next week is already in the coaches sights, and  I am sure the players are going to be ready, but I think Ferrum needs to enjoy their first win of the season and their first D2 football win.

Go Panthers!

Shaw @ Ferrum

 For the first time, Shaw University visits Ferrum College. The Bears (0-1), come into today's game after their bye week. Their opening game found them on the short side of a 51-7 score at the hands of Albany State.  The workhorses for Shaw seem to be their quarterback Justin Wheeler, and running back Cobie Bates. This seems to be where most of their offensive production came from. Bates figures in both the running and passing games.

On defense, giving up 51 points does not give me a lot of concern about the defense. On the other hand, I know nothing about Albany State, except they did play last week, and won over Kentucky State, 49-21. So overall, there may be little defensive information to glean from the Bears first game. Defensive Back, Darry Felix led the Bears with 11 solo tackles, and three assists. Against the run, the Bears gave up 311 yards to Albany State (6.5 ypc). 

For Ferrum, I am hopeful that Jahylen Lee is back on the field today. He did not see action against VMI, and appeared to limp to the sideline late against Catawba. I have no update on his status. This is a game that Ferrum could win, but they have to execute, and having Lee in the line up would help them with that. There are other running backs, and I am sure they are ready to step up if needed. Look for Ferrum to rely heavily on Eli Foutz today both running and passing the ball. The story to winning will be controlling time of possession, creating turnovers, capitalizing on those turnovers, and special teams. This game could come down to a kickoff return, a punt return, a field goal, or kickoff and punt coverage. Ferrum has to hit on all cylinders today. This game should be competitive, and my feeling is that Ferrum can come away with a win, but mistakes have to be minimized, and opportunities have to be taken advantage of.

Go Panthers!

VMI Dominates Ferrum 42-7Ferrum to Host Shaw University This Saturday

 The path so far has been rough. Ferrum, moving from DIII to DII had taken it's share of lumps. This past Saturday only made things more difficult as Ferrum moved up to take on DI opponent VMI. While some would argue that this was not a smart move, I tend to think that as long as the Panthers did not incur any major injuries, they might just benefit from this. It may take time to realize that this experience may give them more metal, more knowledge, and a look at what a bigger time opponent looks like. No this was not Virginia Tech, or Notre Dame, but it was a different level of immersion. A test that while nearly impossible to pass, gave them something to remember and to learn from.

As I expected, Ferrum was totally frustrated the entire day. And while there are stats to look over, the  opponent was just bigger, faster and stronger. So, what is next? Certainly not another D1 opponent. Next is Shaw University. What do I know about Shaw? Not much at all. They have played one game this year, and lost to Albany State University 51-7 on their home field. This past Saturday had Shaw with a bye, so they have already had a rest break. Based on stats from their first game, this team may give Ferrum a more realistic shot at their first DII win. They appear to rely slightly more on the pass, but do use their running game as well. Interestingly enough, Shaw beat Albany State last year, 43-40. The Bears lost 18 Seniors from the 2024 squad, and their offense was hit particularly hard. I cant really say what to expect, but I do think this game will give Ferrum more of a realistic shot at a win. It may not happen, but after last week, they will have game that will be more manageable.....they have a chance, a very good chance to win. 

The Bears are quarterbacked by Justin Wheeler. Wheeler is 6'0" 195 lb. Redshirt Freshman. The running game features several backs that will handle the ball but from what I can tell, the bulk of the carries will be handled by Cobie Bates, and Chris Rutledge. I look at both teams O and D line as about equal in size, but the D line for Shaw may slightly outsize Ferrum but the difference is definitely slight. I think Ferrum will have an advantage with their kicking game, but there is very little to draw from.

This could be a competitive game, and could land Ferrum in the W column. Let's get out and support them.

Go Panthers!

  

Ferrum @ VMI

 While last weeks loss was tough for the Ferrum faithful, be glad you are not a Keydets fan. VMI lost their season opener to Navy, 52-7. There is not a lot that can be discerned except the fact that neither Ferrum nor VMI started the way they had hoped. First of all, Navy is a very strong program, and the homefield advantage certainly helped the Midshipmen. VMI will have that homefield advantage tomorrow, but from what I am seeing on Facebook, there will be a good amount of Black and Gold in the stands.   

What can we expect?

Well, this could be another difficult day for Ferrum. An established DI program against a fledgling D2 school. Its not an ideal situation, but  Ferrum has beaten this team once.....well that goes back a ways. It was Ferrum's first year of football and the Panthers defeated the VMI freshmen team 18-13. It was the first victory ever for Ferrum football. Since then, VMI has won twice, and the teams have tied twice. The last time they met, was Sept. 23, 1961 (I was a year and a week old).  There has been quite a gap since the teams have met, and while logic would tell you that VMI will emerge victorious, it could end up to be a better game than you might think, but this will likely not end with a W for the Panthers. I saw some video of the Navy game, and if there is anything that could be helpful, VMI seemed to struggle defending the sweeps and outside runs. But then again, Ferrum ain't Navy. We will have to wait and see, but I think Ferrum needs to go out there, try not to be overwhelmed, and just think....it happened in '55.....why not now?  In the end, Ferrum needs to come out standing tall, no matter what the outcome.

Go Panthers!

Ferrum Falls at Catawba 45-13

 This can't come as much of a surprise. Moving from D3, Ferrum and the fan base had to know that this will be a hard climb. Yesterday, the Panthers got a taste of what things will likely be like a lot of the time this season.

First let me say that the Indians of Catawba are likely in a stronger conference than Conference Carolinas. This was a good team that Ferrum faced, and the stats show that, but they also show where Ferrum did have bright spots. For Ferrum, I was happy to see the size and ability of the quarterback Eli Foutz. In his first game for the Panthers, Foutz passed for 108 yards, and ran for 50 yards. His size is a definite asset. The Emory and Henry transfer is 6'2" 225lbs, seems to have a strong arm, and is not afraid to take off and pick up yardage.  I was also glad to see the kicking position bringing points to the board. After being spoiled by the Deaton brothers over the last several years, Jon Davis stepped up in a big way to hit 2 nice field goals.

There are areas to improve upon however. First of all, I am left with concern about the pass defense. The Catawba quarterback was 11 of 11 for 202 yards 3 touchdowns, and was not sacked. Also, giving up 293 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground should be a point of emphasis for this weeks practices. I have to remember that Catawba is an established D2 program with returning scholarship athletes. This is not the case for Ferrum, and that makes all the difference. Yesterday was nothing to be ashamed of. It was baseline for where the program is. Things will get better......maybe not next week, but they will get better.

Ferrum @ CatawbaThe First DII Game

 And so it begins. The newest episode in the growth of Ferrum College and Ferrum football. Today, Ferrum opens it's inaugural DII season on the road at Catawba College. This game, like all the rest will have a lot of unknowns. All new competition this year, and from my perspective, there will be a lot to learn.

   Ferrum has a lot, and I mean a lot of new faces to learn too. If I counted correctly, Ferrum has 140 players on the roster. While we will see returners like running back Jahylen Lee, safety Ian Ashworth, and quarterback Zach Wyatt, there are a lot of new faces. I expect that this will be a building year. A year where Coach Sherman and his staff try to build on the successes of last year, and learn what it takes to be a successful D2 program.

My thoughts on the Conference Carolinas Poll- This would usually be an accurate way to glean information about the strength of conference teams, but as this is the first time this conference has had football since 1974-75, I am not sure that the poll will be particularly accurate. Time will tell, and it all starts for Ferrum tonight. (6 p.m. kickoff). So let's learn together. All in all I do not think Ferrum will finish last in the conference. I will say that Ferrum cam come away with at least 2 wins this season, and quite possibly three. Two or three wins, when predicted to finish last in the conference would be a very positive start to the DII journey.

Watching the game tonight I believe will require a subscription to streaming channel FLO Sports. I don't think this is the case for all games, but tonight this seems like the only way to watch.

Here is a link to get you started.

FloSports

Go Panthers!