Rhodes holds off Panthers for 28-21 win
Sept. 8, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rhodes College ran up a big lead and then held on for a 28-21 win over LaGrange College on Saturday at Fargason Field. The loss denied the Panthers their first win once again as they fell to 0-2 this season. It was the season opener for the Lynx (1-0).

Rhodes took advantage of two Panther miscues to jump out to a 14-0 first quarter lead. Mario Wallace fumbled and the Lynx recovered at the Panthers' 37-yard line. Four plays later, Charles Hoggard scored from nine yards out for the first score of the game.

On the Panthers' next possession, punter Ike Thomas mishandled the snap from center on fourth down and the Lynx took over at the Panthers' 34-yard line. Josh McMurray covered the distance on the next play and Rhodes led 14-0. McMurray rushed for a game-high 102 yards on 16 carries.

Rhodes extended their lead to 21-0 late in the first half. Tyler Lake scored from the one with 37 seconds left in the half. The touchdown capped a six play 52-yard drive.

The Lynx took the second half kickoff and drove 67 yards in eight plays to go up 28-0. Lake once again finished the drive, this time from two yards out.

The Panthers responded with a 12 play 67-yard drive for their first touchdown of the season. Quarterback Drew Carter converted three third down plays into first downs to keep the drive alive. Brandon Crawford finished the drive with a one-yard run with 6:12 left in the third quarter. Josh Stripling added the first of his three extra points.

After forcing the Lynx to punt, the Panthers went 59 yards in eight plays for their second touchdown. Carter kept the drive alive with a 16-yard completion to Erik Hardison on fourth down at the Rhodes' 35. Two plays later, Carter found Thomas for a 19-yard touchdown to make 28-14.

The Panthers drew within seven on their first possession of the fourth quarter. Wallace returned a punt 49 yards and a personal foul penalty against Rhodes gave the Panthers the ball at the Lynx 36-yard line. The Lynx helped the Panther drive with two more penalties and Carter hit Nick Langley from seven yards out to make it 28-21 with 9:18 left in the game.

The Panthers had one last chance after Kyle Storey recovered a fumble at their own 39. Carter scrambled 22 yards to the Rhodes' 39 for a first down. But a sack and three straight incompletions ended the Panthers' hopes.

Carter finished the game with 208 yards passing and the two touchdowns. Crawford led the Panthers with 33 yards in 12 carries.

The Panthers travel to Rome, Ga. to face Shorter next Saturday.