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 win D2 football win.

Go Panthers!