Panthers Breeze Through First HalfHold On For Win

It was a game, where I really felt Ferrum could win, but there was no doubt, the Southern Virginia Knights had talent, and could put points on the board. For the Panthers, it started with problems as they received the opening kickoff, but fumbled it on the tackle. Colin Shaw was able to recover his own fumble, and the Panthers started first and 10 on their own 15. On the third play of the drive, quarterback Zach Clifford hit Ryan Beidleman for a 20 yard pass play, but Beidleman was not able to hold on to the ball, and fumbled. This time, the Knights recovered, and were set up first and ten at the Ferrum 38. From there, it took six plays, and the Knights found the endzone and took a 7-0 lead.

From this point on in the first half, Ferrum was in control. On the Panthers next possession, Clifford hit Dakota Crouse on a 32 yard pass play for a touchdown, and with the Brad Green extra point, the score was tied 7-7.
Ferrum never looked back in the first half as on the next possession, Clifford would find Tyler English for an 8 yard touchdown pass and Ferrum would lead 14-7. A Brad Green field goal, and a third Zach Clifford touchdown pass, this time to Ryam Beidleman would give Ferrum a 24-7 halftime lead.

After Ferrum kicked off to SVU, the Knights started the second half first and ten at their own 24 yard line. On their first play of the second half, Jaquice Sydnor intercepted the Pinkston pass, and after the return, Ferrum was in business 1st and 10 at the Southern Virginia 17. It would take just four plays, and Ryan Beidleman would score his second touchdown of the day on a two yard run. With the Green extra point, Ferrum led 31-7, and appeared in total control of the outcome. Southern Virginia however had some fight left in them and was not ready to call it a day.

At 1:35 left in the third quarter, the Knights found the endzone on a five yard run, and cut the lead to 31-14. On the next possession, Ferrum moved the ball well, but their drive was stopped by the Knights defense, forcing the Panthers to settle for a 37 yard field goal attempt. The attempt was wide left, and marked the first miss by Brad Green this season.
Southern Virginia would score again on a running play with just over 5 mins. left in the game to bring the score to 31-21. At this point, it seemed as though the momentum had definitely shifted.

After the kickoff, Ferrum's next drive quickly stalled and the Panthers were forced to punt. The Knights took over and after a 19 yard punt return, had it 1st and 10 nat the Ferrum 42 with 3:33 remaining. At the 2:28 mark, SVU found the endzone again, cutting the score to 31-28. This time they scored on an 8 yard passing play.

Ferrums next possession was again futile as they were un able to get the offense untracked. After three plays, Ferrum only netted one yard on the drive. It was time to punt again, and Grayson Harvey did not disappoint as he launched a 62 yard punt, sending the returner all the way back to the SVU 24 yard line. SVU started this drive with 1:04 left in the game, but on the second play, Pinkston was again intercepted, and the Panthers sealed the win.

SENIOR DAY 

Saturday marks the last home game of the year for Ferrum as the Hornets of Shenandoah University come to W.B. Adams stadium. Shenandoah has a 4-3 record with wins over Southern Virginia, and Guilford. They have also defeated North Carolina Wesleyan, and Hampden-Sydney. From what I see, there are many similarities between the two teams, and this game could go either way.

Shenandoah quarterback Ben Agostino is not afraid to pass, in fact it seems he prefers it. Look for the Shenandoah offense to be pass heavy. This may work in favor of the Ferrum 3-4 defensive scheme. This game could be a barn burner.

Either way this is the last home game for Zach Clifford, Chris Baker, Keyshawn Barnes,
Aaron Branch, Taylor Brown, A.J. Camp, Dakota Crouse, Zamir Echeagaray, Tyler English, Ben Foster, Gahlia Gwangwa'a, Adam Keiser, Sam Messer, Jordan Patti, Jeremy Quarles, Dustin Swaine, Jaquice Sydnor, and Brian Mann.
Mann, and Clifford, in this list, bookend what is an excellent group of Seniors. All have held true to the coaching philosophy of Rob Grande and his staff. This, like all Seniors are a special group, and the two bookends are closing in on the completion of two awesome college football careers.

Clifford has set many records in the football record book at Ferrum. Below are the ones he holds:

• Game pass attempts (38 vs. Averett, 2017)
• Season pass attempts (249 in 2017)
• Career pass attempts (613 from 2016-present)
• Game pass completions (20 vs. Apprentice, 2017)
• Season pass completions (133 in 2017)
• Career pass completions (332 from 2016-present)
• Game touchdown passes (4 vs. Greensboro, 2018)
• Season touchdown passes (17 in 2018)
• Career touchdown passes (38 from 2016-present)
• Game passing yards (347 vs. Apprentice, 2017)
• Season passing yards (1,858 in 2017)
• Career passing yards (4,453 from 2016-present)

Many of these will be added to as the final three games play out. Nonetheless, Zach Clifford will go downs as one best all time quarterbacks in Ferrum history.

For Brian Mann, this has to have been a disappointing season so far. Injured in the fourth game of the season, Brian came into this season with a very realistic chance at having over 6000 yards by years end. as it stands now he will have to fight to be able to get to 5000 yards. I am of the understanding that Brian will dress for today's game, and I am thinking he will get on the field if for nothing else as curtain call of sorts. I am doubtful that he will touch the ball today. He too owns many records at Ferrum. The largest one is he is the all time career rushing leader for the Panthers.
Brian, Zach, and all of the other Seniors have given a lot of themselves to be in this position today. Time moves quickly, and this was a fast four years. They have been a pleasure to follow, and I am really looking forward to these next three games.

Go Panthers!!

Ferrum 34
SU 31

OT?.....maybe.