Maryville takes advantage of Panther mistakes for 21-3 opening win
Sept. 1, 2007

LAGRANGE, Ga. – Maryville College took advantage of special teams mistakes by LaGrange College for a 21-3 win at Callaway Stadium on Saturday. It was the season opener for both teams. The loss left the Panthers still searching for their first win after a winless inaugural season in 2006.

The Panthers limited Maryville to only 198 yards of total offense. But two botched punt attempts and a short punt led to all three scores by the Fighting Scots. It was the first time the Panthers' defense has held an opponent under 200 yards of total offense. Maryville rolled up 534 yards in a 47-7 win  in the Panthers' inaugural game last season. Maryville running back Rommell Hightower was held to 13 yards in 16 attempts after getting 119 yards in last season's game.

Running back Mario Wallace became the first Panther to rush for more than 100 yards in a game. He finished with 107 yards that included a 77-yard run. It was the longest run and play from scrimmage by a Panther to date. Wallace added 104 yards of returns and 68 yards in receiving for a total of 279 all-purpose yards.

Freshman quarterback Drew Carter made his debut for the Panthers. He completed 13-of-32 passes for 197 yards with an interception. The Maryville defense sacked Carter nine times in the game.

The Panthers got the game's first points in the second quarter. Josh Stripling capped an 11-play 72-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal with 11:47 left in the first half. A pass interference call on the Fighting Scotts on a third down play kept the drive alive. Nick Langley made a circus catch for a 37-yard completion to the Maryville 31. Carter went 10 yards to Wallace down the eight-yard line for first and goal. The Maryville defense stiffened forcing the field goal by Stripling.

Still trailing 3-0 midway through the third quarter, the Fighting Scots scored off a botched punt attempt that was scooped up by Jack Breyman for an eight-yard score. On LaGrange's ensuing possession, another botched punt attempt gave the Fighting Scots the ball at the Panthers' five-yard line. Three plays later,  Hightower scored on a four-yard run and a 14-3 lead.

Maryville closed out the scoring in the fourth quarter. A short punt by the Panthers set up the Fighting Scots at the LaGrange 35. On the second play of the quarter, quarterback Lucas Walls connected with Ryan Gaines for a 34-yard touchdown to up the lead to 21-3.

Linebacker Justin Strickland led the defense with seven total tackles and a sack. The Panthers had four quarterback sacks in the game. Defensive end Alex Sapp had five total tackles, while defensive tackle Rob Baker added four total tackles. Devin Allison had an interception.

The Panthers travel to Memphis, Tenn. next Saturday to face Rhodes College. Game time is 2 p.m. Eastern.